The Milwaukee Brewers have been one of the most talked about teams in all of Major League Baseball this offseason. Of course, this has not been because of high-profile signings as the cost-conscious front office rarely makes big free agent splashes. Instead, it has been because of notable players from the organization either leaving via free agency or trade.
Willy Adames, one of the hottest names on the free agent market, signed a seven-year $182 million deal with the San Francisco Giants over a week ago. His contract, which came after a career year in which he hit .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI, and had 21 stolen bases, is the largest in Giants franchise history.
In addition to losing Adames to free agency, the Brewers traded two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees.
Why Did the Milwaukee Brewers Trade Devin Williams to the New York Yankees?
With Adames now playing for the Giants, the Brewers need to find someone else to play shortstop. Fortunately for them, they have two really good options already on their Major League roster: Joey Ortiz and Brice Turang.
Manager Pat Murphy has stated that he would prefer Ortiz at shorstop because Turang is so special defensively at second base (he did win a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove in 2024). Ortiz, meanwhile, would be shifting from third base back to his original position at shortstop.
Regardless of which player moves, Milwaukee would then need to replace them on the infield. That is where the Williams trade came in.
While the Brewers got left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes back as part of their return, they also received infielder Caleb Durbin, who can play either second or third base.
Recently in the Arizona Fall League, Durbin hit .312/.427/.548 with five home runs and 21 RBI. He also stole a league record 29 bases (they play just 24 games).
Former Milwaukee Brewers Closer Devin Williams Thought He Was Going to the Dodgers
During a recent Zoom meeting with reporters, Williams, who had 14 saves and a 1.25 ERA last season for Milwaukee, revealed that he did not think he was going to be traded to the Yankees. Instead, he thought the Brewers were going to ship him to the Los Angeles Dodgers:
Devin Williams, in a Zoom call with media, said he was surprised he was traded to the Yankees because he thought he was going to Los Angeles.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) December 17, 2024
According to reports, the Dodgers did have an offer on the table for Williams, too. They were willing to trade second baseman Gavin Lux and catching prospect Hunter Feduccia for the two-time All-Star closer.
Milwaukee, however, is higher on Durbin’s potential than they are on Lux. Furthermore, Durbin’s speed and tendency to walk more than he strikes out makes him a better fit for the kind of game Murphy likes to play.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Former Milwaukee Brewers Starter Signs with the Toronto Blue Jays
- MLB Insider Reveals 1 More Player the Milwaukee Brewers Are Interested in Trading This Winter
- Milwaukee Brewers: Dodgers Offer for a Potential Devin Williams Trade Revealed
- Dodgers Sign Different Former Brewers Pitcher After Missing Out on Devin Williams
- Former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Finally Gets Elected to the Hall of Fame
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