DALLAS – Devin Williams is attracting an overwhelming amount of interest on the trade market, with at least 10 teams contacting the Milwaukee Brewers about the star closer, league sources said.
The possibility exists that the Brewers end up dealing Williams this week, but a trade at some point later this winter is perhaps more likely. The Brewers might want more time to sift through offers. Waiting also would allow them to see how the market shakes out after free-agent high-leverage relievers such as Tanner Scott and Jeff Hoffman pick their teams, leaving the clubs that got shut out perhaps more desperate for quality bullpen help.
According to league sources, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are among the teams expressing interest in Williams, a two-time winner of the Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s top reliever. But even mid-market clubs like the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers could be in play, and perhaps even apparent non-contenders such as the Los Angeles Angels.
Williams, 30, is projected to earn $7.7 million in his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent. The Brewers thus far this offseason are operating as if they have little payroll flexibility. They non-tendered Hoby Milner (projected to make $2.7 million through arbitration) and declined Colin Rea’s option ($5.5 million). The only real way for Milwaukee to clear additional space would be to trade Williams and/or first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who is due to make $18 million with a mutual option for 2026 worth another $18 million.
The Brewers are in need of starting pitching help. They could also use another infielder. After losing Willy Adames to free agency, the Brewers could shift Joey Ortiz from third base to shortstop. Or they could move Brice Turang from second base to short. Either move would necessitate the addition of another infielder.
It’s possible the Brewers could keep Williams until at least the summer. Trading him midseason, however, might invoke the complications they encountered in 2022, when they dealt Josh Hader in the heat of a playoff push and ended up missing out on the postseason. For the Brewers to comfortably trade Willliams at the deadline, they probably would need to be out of contention.
The Baltimore Orioles filled their need for a right-handed hitting outfielder by signing Tyler O’Neill and their need for a backup catcher by signing Gary Sánchez. Neither move was especially impactful – O’Neill replaces Anthony Santander, who hit 44 homers last season – and the team’s search for a front-of-the-rotation starter remains a mystery.
The Orioles are not among the teams at the forefront of the Garrett Crochet sweepstakes, according to sources briefed on those discussions. They are less than eager to give up a draft pick for the remaining free-agent starters who received qualifying offers from other clubs – Max Fried, Sean Manaea and Nick Pivetta. And they seem likely to get outbid for their own free-agent starter, Corbin Burnes.
Nathan Eovaldi could be a potential option to add to the Orioles’ rotation. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
So, which starter will it be? Nathan Eovaldi is one possibility. Jack Flaherty might be another. A trade could be a third avenue for improvement. The Orioles remain in strong position in the AL East, particularly with the New York Yankees losing Juan Soto. But the team’s competitive window will remain open for only so long.
The Orioles’ best player, All-Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson, is under club control for four more seasons. While an extension for catcher Adley Rutschman might be possible, Henderson is represented by Scott Boras, who generally prefers his clients – like Soto – to establish their values in free agency. Henderson would hit the open market entering his age 28 season.
The Texas Rangers likely cannot spend big until they gain clarity on their future local media revenue, but that isn’t stopping them from at least getting in the mix for some of the better free-agent starting pitchers.
Re-signing Eovaldi remains the Rangers’ top priority, according to sources briefed on their plans. But the team also is in contact with Fried and others, keeping its options open just in case it suddenly gains payroll flexibility.
Of course, it’s unlikely such a boost would come before Fried makes his decision. The Rangers are the only team without certainty about their local TV rights for next season. They no longer are partnering with the Diamond Sports Group and are trying to start their own regional sports network.
The Athletics, after signing free-agent right-hander Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million contract, still want to add another starter, according to sources briefed on their plans. But if they sign another free agent, it likely will be a lesser pitcher – someone like Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson or Andrew Heaney, provided one of those veterans is willing to pitch in Sacramento.
The A’s need to add significant payroll for 2025 or risk a grievance from the Major League Baseball Players Association. It remains to be seen, however, whether they will approach the $130 million to $150 million range they projected for their ramp-up period before they move into their new park in Las Vegas, according to a league source. The A’s intend to spend the next three seasons in Sacramento and relocate to Las Vegas in 2028.
Third base is another area of need for the A’s. The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm and New York Mets’ Brett Baty are among the players at that position available in trade. The A’s also could consider internal options such as Brett Harris, Max Schuemann and prospect Max Muncy, their first-round pick in 2021.
The Miami Marlins are open to trading left-hander Jesús Luzardo, according to sources briefed on their discussions. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi mentioned Monday that Luzardo was drawing interest.
Luzardo, 27, is projected to earn $6 million in arbitration, which would make him the second-highest paid Marlin after righty Sandy Alcantara.
But like Alcantara, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, Luzardo’s trade value might be higher at the deadline, as long as he establishes that he is healthy. He did not pitch after June 16 last season due to a lumbar stress reaction.
Luzardo is under club control for two more seasons.
(Top photo of Devin Williams: Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
