SnakeBytes 12/2: Another Closer Off the Market

Diamondbacks News

How Devin Williams’ Huge Mets Deal Hurts D-backs’ Closer Pursuit by Alex D’Agostino [SI]

Arizona’s hopes to land a down-season discount for any of the top-tier arms available is all but gone, and the continuously-inflating free agent market may force Arizona to turn to bargain signings or the trade market in order to land serious relief help.

With around $27-37 million in available payroll estimated by Diamondbacks On SI’s Jack Sommers (and $2.75 million of that already used on catcher James McCann), the D-backs may be entirely priced out of the relief market, unless they choose to go after an aging veteran like Kenley Jansen.

But if Williams is receiving $50 million at age 31, coming off the worst year of his MLB career, even the more affordable options may soon become too expensive for GM Mike Hazen.

Diamondbacks Could Target Astros Center Fielder by Alex D’Agostino [SI]

Would it really make sense for Arizona to target Meyers? There’s no question he’d be an upgrade offensively over what the D-backs got from Thomas and McCarthy this past season, and his defense surpasses that of even the defensively-hailed Thomas.

But there does lie one major issue.

“The Astros are open to moving him for a controllable major-league starter, according to people briefed on their discussions,” Rosenthal continues. “And the interest in Meyers entering his age-30 campaign is considerable, other clubs say.”

Diamondbacks bring back ‘best deal’ in baseball by Wendy Lopez [Burn City Sports]

The pass will cost $299 and includes entry to all home games, plus two exhibition games before the regular season. Designed to boost both affordability and long-term fan engagement, the pass gives attendees access to each game for less than four dollars.

It is the lowest-priced ticket package that offers access to premier home matchups, including series against the reigning American League champion Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees, as well as promotional giveaway nights throughout the year.

6 Fresh Trade Ideas for Cole Ragans, Ketel Marte, and More at the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings by Joel Reuter [Bleacher Report]

To SEA: 2B Ketel MarteTo ARI: RHP Logan Evans, 2B Michael Arroyo, SS Felnin Celesten…

…Even if [the Mariners] traded away Michael Arroyo and Felnin Celesten, who are both frequently mentioned as Top 100 prospects, they still have Cole Young, Colt Emerson and Tai Peete as high-end infield prospects.

Pairing those two with an MLB-ready arm in Logan Evans would give the D-backs a piece for their 2026 rotation and two high-ceiling prospects, while also getting them out from under the significant money still owed to Marte.

Around the League

Mets agree to 3-year deal with reliever Devin Williams (source) by Anthony DiComo [MLB]

The Mets, in their pursuit of an improved bullpen, have agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with free-agent reliever Devin Williams, according to multiple sources. The team has yet to confirm the move because it’s not official.

Williams heads across town from the rival Yankees, where he spent all of last season. Of note, multiple sources said the Mets still have interest in re-signing incumbent closer Edwin Díaz even after agreeing to terms with Williams. The latter is comfortable serving in a setup role if the Mets do retain Díaz, according to one of those sources.

Mets, Devin Williams Agree To Three-Year Deal by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]

The Mets are in agreement with free agent closer Devin Williams on a three-year contract, reports Will Sammon of The Athletic. It guarantees more than $50MM, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Jon Heyman of The New York Post suggests the deal pays $15MM salaries plus a $6MM signing bonus that includes $5MM in annual deferrals. That makes it a $51MM guarantee for the Klutch Sports client, though the $15MM in total deferrals reduce the net present value to an extent.

What you need to know about MLB’s looming labor battle [ESPN]

Which other issues will fans hear most from each side in the year ahead before the CBA expires?

…So, yes, economics will dominate — particularly with changes to the revenue-sharing model desired by both parties and potentially providing a path to an agreement. But two other topics figure to be front and center. One is rules changes. In the last basic agreement, the league secured a shorter window to implement proposed amendments to rules, and with MLB’s majority of seats on the competition committee giving it authority over on-field play, the union desires more control. And then there’s the subject of an international draft. The league wants one.

During the last round of talks, the union entertained the possibility. After a new CBA was ratified, the two sides gave themselves an additional four months to agree on a trade: The league gets an international draft, the union does away with the qualifying offer. They couldn’t agree by the deadline, but this will come up again. — [Alden] Gonzalez

JAWS and the 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Félix Hernández by Jay Jaffe [FanGraphs]

Before he’d ever thrown a major league pitch, cracked a prospect list, or reached legal adult status, Félix Hernández had a nickname: King Felix, crowned by U.S.S. Mariner blogger Jason Michael Barker on July 17, 2003, when he was overpowering much older hitters as a 17-year-old in the Low-A Northwest League. Still a teen when he reached the majors, he quickly came to represent the hopes and dreams of a franchise that had fallen short of a World Series despite four playoffs appearances from 1995–2001; parted with superstars Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., and Alex Rodriguez along the way; and capped that run with a record-setting 116 wins but a premature exit in the ALCS.

Though slow to embrace the royal moniker, Hernández grew into it. His dazzling combination of an electrifying, darting sinker, a knee-buckling curve, and a signature hard changeup propelled him to a Cy Young Award, two ERA titles, six All-Star appearances, and a perfect game. From 2009–14, he was the best pitcher in the American League by ERA, FIP, strikeouts, and WAR, parlaying that into a contract that made him the game’s highest-paid pitcher. Unfortunately, a heavy workload — more innings than any pitcher 23 or younger since Dwight Gooden two decades earlier — sapped the sizzle from his fastball, with injuries and a cavalier approach to conditioning taking their toll as well. The Mariners struggled to surround him with a quality roster while cycling through managers and pitching coaches every couple of years. The team didn’t reach the playoffs once during Hernández’s career, finishing above .500 just five times, with a pair of second-place showings in the AL West as good as it got.