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The New York Yankees have some business to take care of this winter. After falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in the playoffs, they must strengthen a few areas to make a deeper run in 2026. Bringing back Cody Bellinger should be a top priority, as is bringing in another arm (or two) into the rotation. They will also need to address their bullpen. Luke Weaver and David Bednar took a swing at the closer position, as did trade acquisition Devin Williams. Now, Williams has left the organization and is linked to the reigning World Series Champions. Devin Williams Linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking at relievers on the free agent market. “Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes affirmed Tuesday that the Dodgers could sign a reliever as they ramp up for a potential three-peat,” Ardaya wrote on November 11, 2025. “Candidates include at least one familiar target already clear at this week’s annual general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, sources said: two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams. The Dodgers had been in the mix to trade for Williams last winter before the Milwaukee Brewers shipped him to the New York Yankees.” “Now, there appears to be mutual interest between the two sides early in Williams’ first foray into free agency.” The Dodgers’ interest in Williams makes sense. For starters, they didn’t depend on Roki Sosaki all that much in their postseason run to a second consecutive World Series victory. Additionally, the Dodgers were in the mix to trade for him before the Yankees acquired him. One way or another, it looks like the back-to-back champions will improve their bullpen. Williams finished the season with 18 saves, 15 holds, 90 strikeouts, a 1.13 WHIP, to go along with a 4.79 ERA in 62 innings pitched. Other Reliever Options For the Dodgers and Yankees Edwin Diaz is the belle of the ball in this winter’s free agent class. The 32-year-old is coming off a great season with the New York Mets. The righty finished with 28 saves, 98 strikeouts, a 0.87 WHIP, and a 1.63 ERA in 66 1/3 innings pitched. Pete Fairbanks is another name that has emerged. He joins this offseason’s free agency class after the Tampa Bay Rays declined his $11 million option. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Fairbanks is being considered by both the Dodgers and Blue Jays. “But even in a free-agent market that includes closers Edwin Díaz, Devin Williams, and Robert Suárez, Fairbanks should attract considerable interest,” Rosenthal wrote on November 11th, 2025. “With the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays among his expected suitors.” Fairbanks finished the 2025 season with 27 saves, 59 strikeouts, a 1.04 WHIP, and a 2.83 ERA in 60 1/3 innings pitched. As far as Williams is concerned, one MLB insider believes that the San Francisco Giants‘ perfect move would be signing him. “As many live arms as the Giants have in their bullpen, Randy Rodriguez’s Tommy John surgery leaves them thin enough at the back end that prioritizing a dependable ninth-inning option makes sense,” Jeff Passan wrote on November 11, 2025, for ESPN. “And even if the best non-Díaz reliever in free agency struggled at times this past season, his stuff did not tick backward, and the underlying numbers continue to say he’s elite. Sign free agent closer Devin Williams.” One way or another, it will be a spicy offseason in the free agent market.
