More rumors flying regarding former All-Star reliever and SF Giants

There is more smoke flying around Devin Williams and the SF Giants. Could the All-Star reliever be heading to the Bay Area this offseason?

MLB Network recently spoke about the market for the elite closer, the Giants were brought up as a potential suitor.

SF Giants connected to All-Star closer Devin Williams

"He's gonna go to a very very lucrative team, lucrative deal," said Jon Morosi on MLB Network.

Morosi said the Red Sox, Reds, Dodgers, Tigers, and Giants are interested.

"Yes, Tony Vitello's Giants have some interest as well," said Morosi.

Morosi said that despite a rocky season in New York, Williams' has the track record of success that will make him a hotly pursued commodity this offseason.

"I think Devin WIlliams will be a very highly coveted free agent," said Morosi. "No shortage of suitors for the former relief pitcher of the year."

Williams was arguably the best reliever in baseball from 2020-2024. Over that five year span, he was a two-time All-Star, posting a 1.70 ERA and 9.0 bWAR across 228 appearances and 222 innings. He racked up a 27-10 record and 68 saves over that stretch, with an elite 248 ERA+ and a WHIP at 0.977.

Those are elite numbers, which is why it was so surprising to see Williams struggle as much as he did in New York last year. He posted a 4-6 record, and -0.3 bWAR, finishing the year with a 4.79 ERA and 1.129 WHIP. However, his FIP, a more predictive stat, remained low, at 2.68 (still above his career-average of 2.45, but much closer to his career average than his ERA).

It feels like with the predictive metrics still favorable towards Williams, last year was an outlier amidst a career of greatness. It would make some sense for the Giants to pursue him, as their bullpen is now without Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers, arguably their two best relievers on Opening Day of 2025.

Still, it is always a risk when a team signs a reliever to a big contract. The Giants saw this themselves when they signed closer Mark Melancon in 2017 and it did not work out at all.

Williams figures to be in high demand this offseason even though that ugly 4.79 ERA he posted last season with the Yankees will limit some of his value.

The Giants are probably not keen to get into a bidding war over a reliever who could be on the decline, but they may have to roll the dice in order to fix their bullpen.