The Milwaukee Brewers have a history of trading quality veterans when they believe it will benefit their long-term outlook, regardless of their current position in the standings. This approach creates an opportunity for teams looking to acquire high-leverage relievers, and the New York Yankees are among those interested. One of the Brewers’ standout closers, Devin Williams, has been dominant on the mound and could be a prime candidate for trade if he’s not already on the block.
The situation with Williams is straightforward, particularly given the Brewers’ tendency to part ways with star players amid arbitration disputes. A notable example of this is Corbin Burnes, whose contentious arbitration process two years ago strained his relationship with the Brewers, leading to his trade to the Orioles last offseason.
Williams, who missed much of last season due to a back injury, had a $10.5 million team option for the 2025 season, which the Brewers declined. After earning $7.5 million in 2023, Williams now faces arbitration, making him unlikely to be non-tendered. Given the demand for a reliever of his caliber and the relatively modest cost associated with his team option, the Brewers may look to trade him, especially with the prospect of him hitting free agency after this season. The Brewers have already risked further strain on their relationship with Williams by declining his option, which makes a trade seem increasingly likely.
Despite the disappointment of Milwaukee’s playoff exit at the hands of Pete Alonso’s game-winning home run in the Wild Card round, Williams is still performing at an elite level. After returning from his back injury in the second half, Williams pitched 21.2 innings, allowing just three earned runs and posting a strikeout rate of over 40%. His 1.5 bWAR in such a limited sample size highlights his exceptional value.
Looking at the broader reliever market, Williams stands out as the top available right-handed closer with a proven track record of excellence. The closest competition comes from Jeff Hoffman, who may transition to starting, and Tanner Scott, who has had some inconsistencies throughout his career—issues Williams has largely avoided.
For the Yankees, the bullpen has been a mixed bag, showing both promise and vulnerability. While the team has done well to assemble a solid bullpen from less high-profile players, the postseason exposed the need for a reliable ace in the bullpen. Luke Weaver has been an impressive find, and while he may have earned a chance to close full-time, his value could be greater in a more flexible role, given his ability to pitch multiple innings. Adding Williams to the mix would solidify the back end of the bullpen, preventing any uncertainty at the closer position.
Even with concerns about Williams’ long-term health due to his back issues, the Yankees would have a year to evaluate his durability before committing to his future. While upgrading the bullpen may not be a priority for the Yankees at this moment, keeping an eye on the situation in Milwaukee could prove beneficial as the offseason unfolds.
