In 2022, the Milwaukee Brewers traded their All-Star closer Josh Hader to the Padres, receiving a substantial return. The Brewers felt comfortable making that move because they had another All-Star reliever, Devin Williams, ready to step up. Now, 2 1/2 years later, Williams’ own future with Milwaukee is uncertain. According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Brewers have chosen to decline Williams’ $10.5 million club option, instead opting to give him a $250,000 buyout. Williams remains with Milwaukee for now, entering his final year of arbitration, but Passan suggests he could be a trade candidate this winter.
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Williams, 30, has been an All-Star twice with the Brewers and boasts an impressive six-year career. Over 235.2 innings, he has maintained a 1.83 ERA and a WHIP of 1.02, with an impressive strikeout rate exceeding 14 per nine innings. Following Hader’s departure, Williams took on the closer role, recording 15, 36, and 14 saves in each of the last 2 1/2 seasons. However, his postseason performance has been inconsistent, including this year’s loss when he allowed Mets slugger Pete Alonso to hit a go-ahead home run that ended Milwaukee’s season.
This winter, Williams could be an intriguing trade prospect. Teams like the Yankees, Phillies, and Mets, among others, might be interested in adding a closer of his caliber, even with his history of postseason struggles.
