The Baltimore Orioles are preparing to enter the 2026 season without star closer Félix Bautista, who is recovering from rotator cuff and labrum surgery.
Their bullpen depth has also taken a hit with the departures of Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto, making relief pitching a top priority as the team looks to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Fortunately for Baltimore, the 2026 market features several proven relievers capable of filling the void left by Bautista. One standout option is New York Yankees closer Devin Williams—a move that would not only strengthen the Orioles’ bullpen but also weaken a key division rival.
The Orioles struggled to generate strikeouts last season, ranking in the bottom half of the league. Many relievers, including Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano, posted fewer than nine strikeouts per nine innings, which increased pressure on the defense and allowed opposing hitters to capitalize with runners on base.
Williams could immediately address that weakness. While the 31-year-old posted career-worst surface numbers in 2025—a 4.79 ERA and -0.3 WAR—his underlying metrics tell a different story. He maintained a strikeout rate above 10 per nine innings for the sixth straight year and recorded his lowest walk rate since 2020 at 3.6 per nine.
Though he allowed more hits and five home runs over 62 innings, his strikeout and chase rates ranked in the 97th percentile, with a 99th-percentile whiff rate—placing him among baseball’s elite swing-and-miss relievers.
Williams’ arsenal, highlighted by a devastating changeup and an effective four-seam fastball, mirrors Bautista’s skill set. He induces ground balls at a 45% rate and limits hard contact despite a higher line-drive percentage. Overall, Williams profiles as an ideal replacement for Bautista and could provide the Orioles with the shutdown presence they need in the late innings.
The Orioles Can Afford Devin Williams
It’s doubtful that the Yankees will bring back Williams, especially after David Bednar outperformed him and took over the closer role during the second half of 2025. Spotrac currently projects Williams’ average annual value at $5.75 million, though that figure is expected to rise by season’s end. The upside for Baltimore is that they’ll have plenty of financial flexibility to work with.
If the Orioles stand pat this offseason, their 2026 payroll projects to sit around $102 million. Even a deal for Williams worth roughly $15 million annually would barely make a dent in their budget—and could become even more manageable if the team decides to move Ryan Mountcastle.
Given that flexibility, it would be unwise for Baltimore not to pursue Williams this winter. Still, the front office must also address other priorities, such as bolstering the starting rotation and outfield depth. Even a one-year deal with a proven veteran strikeout specialist could provide a valuable safety net for the pitching staff in high-leverage situations.
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