The offseason shakeup for the New York Yankees bullpen is becoming a story to keep a close eye on, with the departure of veteran reliever Devin Williams opening the door for a potential pursuit of star closer Edwin Díaz.
Williams, who struggled at times during his stint in New York, signed elsewhere in free agency with the New York Mets, prompting speculation that the Yankees might now aggressively pursue a top-tier closer.
Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yankees are keen on signing Diaz and reportedly made their interest known back on November 14.
With bullpen volatility a recurring problem in 2025, the Yankees see free agent Diaz, 31, as a potential fix for late-inning woes.
With their 2025 bullpen ERA among the worst in MLB, the urgency to shore up the ninth-inning and secure games when it matters is palpable.
The obstacles that could deny the Yankees
Bringing Diaz to the Bronx is far from straightforward. The main sticking point is a financial one, with his asking price likely to be steep, given his recent success and elite status among closers.
The Yankees have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and must adhere to tight budget constraints with the need for stability in the bullpen.
Still, with Williams gone and bullpen reliability in question, New York Yankees brass reportedly sees Díaz as a quick fix to turn close encounters into wins.
Diaz‘s plug-and-play fit for New York is clear to see. He returned to form last year by going 28-for-31 on save chances, with a 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings.
The guarantee of a powerful strikeout ability, as well as consistent save conversions and high-leverage experience, is exactly what the Yankees have lacked for much of 2025.
But first, they must see if they can clear the financial hurdles in their way.
Why Diaz should join the Yankees
For Diaz, joining the Yankees offers a high-profile platform and the chance to lead one of baseball’s most storied bullpens.
For New York fans, it could be the relief they’ve been craving: fewer blown saves, more confidence in tight games, and a clear identity at the back of the bullpen.
Of course, nothing is certain yet. Financial commitments, roster construction, and long-term strategy all play a part in deciding whether this pursuit becomes a reality.
The Yankees must weigh whether the cost is worth locking in elite late-inning performance. But as the dust settles on Williams‘ departure, the possibility of Diaz in pinstripes has moved from speculation to serious consideration.
For a franchise chasing postseason success, that might just be the kind of long-reliever investment worth making.
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