The Milwaukee Brewers face a tall task this offseason: replacing the heart and soul of their clubhouse, shortstop Willy Adames. Ever since the Brewers acquired him midseason in 2021, he has been a fan favorite and rewrote the franchise record book for players at his position.
In 2024, Adames hit .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. His 32 bombs broke his own franchise record for home runs in a season by a shortstop, and his 112 RBI broke the franchise record previously held by Robin Yount. He also became the first shortstop in franchise history to post a 30-20 season.
As enjoyable as it was to watch such an historic season, it also put him well out of the Brewers’ price range to re-sign him. They will have a new shortstop in 2025, though their solution at the position creates yet another need.
Joey Ortiz Will Start at Shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025
Prior to the beginning of the 2024 season, the Brewers traded 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles for Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. Both rookies made Milwaukee’s Opening Day roster, though Hall struggled early and ended up spending a good portion of the year on the injured list.
Ortiz, on the other hand, was one of the Brewers’ most durable players. A shortstop by trade, he soon became their everyday third baseman and ended up hitting .239/.329/.398 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 142 games.
2024 NL Manager of the Year Pat Murphy has already said that the plan is for Ortiz to return to his natural position in 2025 since Adames is presumed not to be back.
While this solves the problem of replacing Adames on defense, it creates a new hole at third base and does not address the need of replacing the slugger’s offense.
However, there is one intriguing trade idea that could.
The Milwaukee Brewers Could Trade Devin Williams to the Philadelphia Phillies for Alec Bohm
In a recent article posted by The Athletic, MLB insider Jim Bowden responded to trade proposals sent to him by readers. One suggested that Milwaukee send All-Star closer Devin Williams and a prospect to the Philadelphia Phillies for All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm.
Bowden thought the trade was perfect for both teams, writing:
“The Phillies need an elite, right-handed, high-leverage closer and I think this deal makes a lot of sense for them, especially if they could turn around and sign either Alex Bregman or Willy Adames to replace Bohm at the hot corner. I don’t think Phillies prospect Aidan Miller will be ready to play third in the majors until at least 2026 or 2027. I’ve heard the rumors they could have interest in getting Arenado from the Cardinals and I do think playing at Citizens Bank Park would help him, but St. Louis would need to absorb a lot of his contract.
“I also like this trade from the Brewers’ perspective because Bohm would solve third base and replace Adames in their lineup, allowing Ortiz to play shortstop with Brice Turang remaining at second.”
It should be noted that recent reports state that Milwaukee has no intention of trading Williams this offseason. If they do move him, it will be ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
That being said, it is easy to see why this trade proposal would be attractive for the Brewers. Bohm made the NL All-Star team last season, hitting .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs and 97 RBI.
Bohm was productive in 2023 as well, hitting .274/.327/.437 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI.
Milwaukee, obviously, values players that are still under club control, and Bohm has 2025 and 2026 left for his arbitration years. He also has experience at first base, making him a player that Murphy can put at multiple positions, something he and the organization value.
All of this being said, Brewers fans should not expect it to happen, at least not before the season. As mentioned, they intend on keeping Williams, so a trade of this nature is merely a fantasy at this point.
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