Devin Williams gets candid about Yankees’ new beard policy and its free agency implications

TAMPA — Devin Williams spoke to Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman last week to voice his preference on keeping his beard, but didn’t think anything would come of it.

By Friday, the Yankees’ new closer was pleasantly surprised when the organization announced it was relaxing the facial hair policy that had been intact for nearly 50 years.

“It’s been a long tradition, which I respect that,” Williams said Saturday morning inside the Yankees clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I’m just happy with the decision [Steinbrenner] made.”

Williams’ stance may have been one of the factors that nudged Steinbrenner across the finish line in updating the policy, though the Yankees’ managing general partner said Friday it is something he has been discussing and considering for years.

“Personally, that’s my preferred look,” said Williams, who seemed appreciative of Steinbrenner hearing him out regardless of the decision. “That’s how I feel most comfortable for myself.”

Williams, who was traded to the Yankees from the Brewers in December, still had a beard when he reported for his physical last week but then shaved it and kept a mustache on the first day of workouts, though he did not seem thrilled about it.

By the team’s photo day on Tuesday, when players were asked to be clean-shaven, he had some noticeable stubble.

One of the top closers in the game, Williams will be a free agent at the end of the season and said if the policy had remained unchanged, it would have been at least part of his decision on whether he wanted to re-sign.

“It’s something that I would consider, for sure,” Williams said. “It’s definitely a conversation that comes up when you’re talking about coming here. It’s something everyone’s well aware of and some guys aren’t OK with it.”

Williams appeared to be one of those guys, though he did ultimately shave for the first time in years last week instead of causing a stir on his new team.

But the 30-year-old was in a difficult spot because he was traded to the organization rather than making the decision to sign here in free agency.

When it boils down to it, the Yankees believe the new policy will only help them win — both in making sure it does not hinder their ability to sign free agents and allowing their players to be comfortable in their own skin.

Williams fits into the latter category, and perhaps the former, too, down the road.

“I obviously shaved my beard, so I was complying with the policy,” he said. “But now I’m glad that it’s changed.”