The Milwaukee Brewers made one of the biggest trades of the MLB offseason when they sent two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees. In return, Milwaukee received left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin.
The reasoning behind trading Williams, of course, was because the Brewers were not going to be willing to pay him what he will be asking for when he becomes a free agent following the 2025 MLB season. The move also ended up saving them money on this year’s payroll.
Williams ended up agreeing to a one-year $8.6 million contract with the Yankees and Cortes signed a one-year $7.6 million contract with the Brewers. Both players will be free agents at the end of the season.
The Milwaukee Brewers Will Have a New Closer in 2025
Of course, the Brewers were without Williams for most the year last season as he missed the first several months of the season with stress fractures in his back. When he did return, Williams was electric, with a 1-0 record, 1.25 ERA, and 14 saves.
Of course, he was not as electric in the postseason when he gave up the game-winning three-run home run to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in the wild card series.
While Williams was sidelined, Milwaukee relied primarily on Trevor Megill and his 100 mph fastball to fill the closer role. He was 1-3 on the season with a 2.72 ERA and 21 saves.
Now that their two-time All-Star closer is off the roster, it stands to reason that Megill should be the favorite to be the new ninth inning man in 2025. However, there are other options available on the free agent market that could be considered as well.
The Milwaukee Brewers Could Sign Two-Time All-Star Closer Kirby Yates
One intriguing name is Kirby Yates, who was an All-Star for the second time in his career last season with the Texas Rangers. He finished the year with a 7-2 record, 1.17 ERA, and 33 saves.
Curt Bishop of Sports Illustrated believes Milwaukee should look into signing Yates, writing:
“Yates will turn 38 in March and is near the end of what has been a solid career. But he remains a very serviceable reliever that can serve as a closer if need be. The Brewers need a presence at the back end of their bullpen.”
Yates was previously an All-Star in 2019 with the San Diego Padres when he was 0-5 with a 1.19 ERA and a Major League-leading 41 saves.
Spotrac currently has his market value set at $6 million, so he is an option Milwaukee could afford if they felt they needed more depth at the end of the bullpen.
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