Mets Lose Key Pitcher to Division Rival in Free Agency

The New York Mets have done a good job retaining several of their key free agents this offseason, bringing back closer Edwin Diaz and outfielder Brandon Nimmo so far.

They won't be able to re-sign everyone, however, and they just let one pitcher get away to a division rival.

Trevor Williams Nationals

Veteran pitcher Trevor Williams is leaving the Mets for the Washington Nationals after receiving a two-year, $13 million contract from Washington on Friday.

Williams played a critical role on New York's 101-win team last year as one of the club's most versatile hurlers. The 30-year-old right-hander mostly worked out of the bullpen but also started nine games, going 3-5 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 89 2/3 innings over 30 appearances.

The 2022 campaign was the best of Williams' career aside from 2018, when he went 14-10 with a 3.11 ERA as a full-time starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He mostly struggled as a starting pitcher otherwise but flourished in his new hybrid role with New York last season.

The Nationals are hopeful he can provide a similar spark to their pitching staff, which is in desperate need of quality arms. Washington ranked second-to-last in ERA last season at 5.00, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies (5.08).