The Detroit Tigers are expected to be active this MLB offseason. With free agency set to open for eligible players on Thursday, this is the chance for teams like Detroit to get a head start heading into the 2026 season.
Things did not work out between the New York Yankees and Devin Williams. The All-Star reliever clearly did not enjoy his time in pinstripes, and a reunion is not expected. However, Williams has such a good track record that it feels almost impossible that he will perform as poorly as he did with New York. Could the Detroit Tigers target him?
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Detroit Tigers predicted to sign Devin Williams to one-year deal
In a recent article by Bleacher Report, writer Zachary Rymer predict s that Devin Williams will sign with the Tigers on a one-year, $10 million deal:
"As Williams still struck out 34.7 percent of the batters he faced this year, getting swings and misses was clearly an area where he still excelled. The Tigers badly need someone like that in their bullpen, which finished last in the American League in strikeout rate this year."
"Prediction: Signs with Tigers on 1-year, $10 million contract"
As Rymer notes, Williams had no trouble striking out batters (90 in 62 innings), but his ERA was an ugly 4.79. From 2021-2024, Williams did not have one season where his ERA was above 2.50, including the last three seasons of a sub-2.00.
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Something clearly wasn't right in New York; it could have been the media pressure or the hitter-friendly right field at Yankee Stadium, but it was apparent he wasn't comfortable.
Williams feels like a great fit for Detroit for the reason Rymer mentioned, but also because Comerica Park is pitcher-friendly. His stock plummeted in 2025, but signing with the Tigers is a great chance for him to increase that stock and enter next year's free agency as a potential nine-figure arm.
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