Brewers urged to part ways with 2-time All-Star after postseason collapse

The Milwaukee Brewers were eliminated by the New York Mets in the postseason. They could look to make some moves to save money before Opening Day.

While listing every team's biggest trade chip, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer urged the Brewers to trade Devin Williams before he hits free agency next winter.

"The Brewers traded Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes shortly before free agency was beginning to beckon for the pair, so why wouldn't they do the same for Devin Williams," wrote Rymer.

Devin Williams has a $10.5 million club option for 2025, but after that, he will hit free agency. Spotrac projects him to earn a five-year, $95 million deal on the open market. The Brewers do not dish out that type of money and have a track record of trading star pitchers before they hit free agency.

"General manager Matt Arnold has already spoken about needing to be "open-minded" in this regard, and Williams' trade value may be too great not to cash in," wrote Rymer. "As a two-time All-Star with a career 1.83 ERA, he's arguably the best reliever in baseball."

Not only is Williams a two-time All-Star, but he is a two-time Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award winner. However, despite how good he is in the regular season, he has not shown up in October. He missed the 2021 postseason after he broke his hand punching a wall. In 2023 he game up two earned runs in 2/3 innings of work. In 2024 he allowed a go-ahead three-run home run to Pete Alonso in the ninth inning.

"As nice as it would be to have the 30-year-old back in the bullpen in 2025, it could be even nicer to have whatever players he might bring back," wrote Rymer. "To this end, the Brewers could aim to swap him for starting pitching or a bat."

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