In 2025 (and potentially 2024), Devin Williams will not be in the backend of the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen. Following a disastrous finish to the 2024 campaign, one in which the usually reliable Williams surrendered a go-ahead three-run home run to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso with Milwaukee just two outs away from the NLCS, the Brew Crew declined his 2025 club option to begin this offseason.
Williams, the author of a 1.66 ERA across his past three seasons, will be a hot commodity this winter if Milwaukee offloads the closer, likely fetching the Brewers a significant haul despite his playoff woes and recent injury history. According to David Gasper of Reviewing The Brew, four teams will have the best chance of landing his services, with one of Milwaukee’s biggest postseason rivals as a front-runner.
Arizona Diamondbacks In Consideration For Ex-Milwaukee Brewers CP
From 2022 to 2024, the Milwaukee Brewers have had one of the best bullpens in baseball, stabilized by one of the best closers in the sport, Devin Williams. Meanwhile, despite a World Series appearance in 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks have had closer issues during that span. Last year, en route to an 89-win season, Arizona used a duo of closers in the early part of the year, with incumbent closer Paul Sewald nursing an injury. Sewald shined to start before misplaced fastballs, and sweepers led to his eventual benching. Arizona then used flamethrower youngster Justin Martinez and nearly unhittable lefty A.J. Puk in a closer committee.
However, if Arizona opts to return Martinez and Puk to leverage non-closer roles and with Sewald in free agency, Reviewing the Brew writer David Gasper believes team owner Ken Kendrick could make an enticing deal to the Milwaukee Brewers for Devin Williams. Per Gasper, Arizona could send former co-ace Jordan Montgomery to Milwaukee, albeit after eating much of his $25 million 2025 contract. The Brewers could also ask for infielder Blaze Alexander, with Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, and Jordan Lawler blocking the youngster for playing time. Alexander slashed .247/.321/.343 in 61 games as a rookie last year but owns a career .822 OPS in the minors.
Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies Also Named As Landing Spots
Gaspers also holds the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in high regard for potential landing spots for Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams. While Toronto may wait for the Juan Soto sweepstakes to end, Philadelphia could look to add Williams after adding third baseman Alec Bohm to the trade block this offseason. Meanwhile, the Rangers could add Williams, with Jose LeClerc, Kirby Yates, and David Robertson all headed to the open market. The Rangers are the most closer needy team among the bunch, with just Grant Anderson (-1.1 WAR) as the lone returner with a save last season.
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