Source: Nats sign pitcher Trevor Williams to two-year deal

The Nationals have agreed to terms with right-hander Trevor Williams on a two-year deal, according to a source familiar with the terms, landing a veteran pitcher who could either fill a slot in their rotation or bullpen.

Williams' deal is for $13 million over the two years, according to The Athletic. He earned $3.9 million this season as a member of the Mets staff.

The 30-year-old posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.227 WHIP across 89 2/3 innings for the Mets, starting nine games with 21 more appearances out of the bullpen, most of them covering multiple innings.

Once New York’s star-studded rotation was healthy by midseason, Williams mostly pitched in long relief down the stretch. He closed out the season Oct. 5 with six innings of two-run ball against the Nationals, earning the win. The Mets left him off their roster for their National League Wild Card Series against the Padres because they didn’t need as many pitchers in a best-of-three series, but they likely would’ve added him back had they advanced to the best-of-five NL Division Series.

Williams would appear for now to be the leading candidate to open the season as the Nationals’ No. 5 starter behind MacKenzie Gore, Cade Cavalli, Josiah Gray and Patrick Corbin, though that’s hardly written in stone. They could continue to pursue other available free agents and have the versatile righty pitch in relief instead.

Either way, the Nats are adding a much-needed, experienced pitcher to their staff.

Originally a 2013 second-round pick of the Marlins out of Arizona State, Williams made his major league debut with the Pirates in 2016 and spent the following four seasons as a regular member of their rotation. His best season came in 2018, when he went 14-10 with a 3.11 ERA and 1.178 WHIP.

Non-tendered by the Pirates following the 2020 season, Williams signed with the Cubs and made 12 starts in 2021 before he was dealt to the Mets along with star infielder Javier Báez at the trade deadline. In 40 total games with New York across 1 1/2 seasons, he sported a 3.17 ERA and 1.279 WHIP.

Williams reached free agency at season’s end.