Devin Williams: A Valuable Trade Asset for the Brewers?

Despite an injury-shortened 2024 season, Devin Williams has proven he remains an elite closer. Returning mid-season from a back injury, Williams showed the same dominance as in his All-Star 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Over 21 1/3 innings, he posted a remarkable 1.25 ERA and a 2.31 SIERA, striking out 38 of the 88 batters he faced. Entering his age-30 season, his career stats—1.83 ERA, 39.4% strikeout rate, and 68 saves in 78 chances—underscore his value as a potential trade chip for the Milwaukee Brewers.

In October, Brewers GM Matt Arnold expressed the need to be “open-minded” about trading Williams. In November, he reiterated this stance, acknowledging the closer’s importance to the team but not ruling out the possibility of a trade (as reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com). This ambivalence hints that while Williams is not actively being shopped, the Brewers are not entirely closed to the idea.

Milwaukee has a history of trading star pitchers before they reach free agency. Under former president of baseball operations David Stearns, the Brewers dealt Josh Hader to the Padres at the 2022 trade deadline. More recently, Arnold executed a trade sending Corbin Burnes to the Orioles. The Brewers’ strong pitching development pipeline has enabled them to remain competitive despite these high-profile trades.

​Given this context, it would not be surprising to see Williams in a different uniform by Opening Day 2025. His elite performance and the Brewers’ openness to creative roster management suggest that he could be a significant asset on the trade market.