The Milwaukee Brewers are about to enter a transition period. Star pitchers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff are no longer on the team. One such star pitcher who should be on the way out is closer Devin Williams. Williams has established himself as one of the best closers in baseball. With the Brewers not contending for the postseason this season and two years of team control remaining, Williams is now expendable. World Series contenders are always looking for shutdown closers and Milwaukee can get a huge haul if they trade him now.
He Has Become One Of The Best Closers In Baseball
Embed from Getty ImagesSince taking over as the full-time closer after Josh Hader was traded, Devin Williams has blossomed. He has since become one of the best closers in the business. In the past two seasons, Williams has had a record of 14-7, a 1.75 ERA, 51 saves, 183 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.9713. He’s also been an all-star the past two years and won his second career NL Relief Pitcher of the Year Award last season. Williams even received some MVP votes last year.
Other Stars Are Gone Or Will Be
The Brewers are entering a transition period. For the past two seasons, Milwaukee has been calling up their top prospects to ease the adjustment time. This offseason, Milwaukee traded Corbin Burnes and non-tendered Brandon Woodruff. The team also announced that veteran shortstop and fan favorite Willy Adames would be made available in trade talks. The Milwaukee Brewers have now essentially signaled their contention window has officially closed. With the Brewers not contending for the postseason in 2024, this now makes Williams expendable.
The Brewers Can Command A Large Return For Devin Williams
Embed from Getty ImagesPlayoff contenders are always looking for shutdown closers. With two seasons of club control remaining, now is the perfect time to trade him. When the Brewers traded Josh Hader in 2022, they got a massive return from the San Diego Padres. In that deal, Milwaukee acquired a veteran closer, a relief pitcher, and two prospects. Given what they acquired in the Hader trade, Milwaukee will be able to get a return of that same size if not bigger.
Milwaukee Has A Bullpen Full Of Capable Arms
Embed from Getty ImagesTo replace Williams, the Brewers have plenty of relievers in their bullpen who have closed games. Last season, Bryse Wilson, Joel Payamps, Elvis Peguero, and Abner Uribe all had experience pitching in high-leverage situations and closing games. Some are even viewing Uribe as the closer of the future. Trading Devin Williams will provide the team with a great opportunity to figure out who will close games going forward. There will be plenty of games for the team to find that out.
Milwaukee Has An Opportunity To Greatly Impact Their Future
Devin Williams has developed into one of the best closers in baseball. However, the Brewers won’t be contending this season and have no reason to keep Devin Williams beyond this season. Milwaukee has already let two of their stars from the past few seasons leave and made another available for a trade. Trading Devin Williams now will not only give the Brewers a large return, but it’ll allow the team to find and develop their closer of the future. Given the current state of the franchise, Milwaukee shouldn’t pass on this opportunity to greatly benefit their future. Trading Williams will get the Brewers even closer to opening up another contention window.
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