MLB Trade Rumors: Top 3 Devin Williams Trade Destinations

The Milwaukee Brewers have created a strange situation with closer Devin Williams, after declining Devin Williams' $10.5M Option ($250K Buyout), and will settle with going through arbitration one more time (which will probably come in at $8 or $9M and save the Brewers a mill or two.

This move, however, is a pretty clear indicator that the plan is to trade him. That's the way the Brew Crew operate — deal 'em before they reach free agency.

Williams' numbers are irrefutable as a top-notch closer in baseball, as the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star has a career 1.83 ERA with 68 saves and a 375:112 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He is coming off a year in which he was only able to pitch 21 innings due to injury, so that could keep his price down just a bit on the trade market.

New York Yankees

After Clay Holmes lost the job as closer in September, veteran Luke Weaver stepped in to take over closing duties for the first time in his career, and thrived in it. Holmes is likely to exit in free agency, while Weaver had his $2.5M option picked up by the Yanks for next season. But, at the age of 31, with four career saves to his name and a career 4.85 ERA, how much can New York really count on a duplication of his late-season performance this year?

But adding Williams would be a massive boon to their bullpen which had its troubles this past season.

Philadelphia Phillies

Another team that is always looking to fortify its bullpen (sometimes not so successfully), Williams would offer a terrific solution for the Phillies. Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez are heading to free agency, and were two of the most solid members of the Phils bullpen in 2024. They've got the need, and will have great interest in swinging a deal with the Brewers.

Texas Rangers

Yes, Kirby Yates had a sensational comeback season in 2024 for the Rangers, posting a ridiculous 1.17 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 33 saves. But he'll now head into free agency, and going into his age-38 season, after having missed three years due to injuries from 2020 through 2022, how many teams, much less the Rangers, believe he can do that again? Williams is a much younger, and much more sure thing, and Texas could definitely take a shot at dealing for him.