The Milwaukee Brewers made one of the biggest trades of the MLB offseason, sending two-time All-Star Devin Williams to New York Yankees. In return, Milwaukee received left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and prospect Caleb Durbin.
The reason for trading Williams, of course, was that the Brewers weren’t willing to pay him what he would ask for when he becomes a free agent after the 2025 MLB season. This move also saved them money on this year’s payroll.
Williams ultimately agreed to a one-year, $8.6 million contract with the Yankees, and Cortes signed a one-year, $7.6 million contract with the Brewers. Both players will be free agents after the season.
Milwaukee Breweries will have a novel closer in 2025
Of course, the Brewers were without Williams for much of last season, as he missed the first few months of the season with a stress fracture in his back. When he returned, Williams was electrifying, with a 1-0 record, 1.25 ERA and 14 saves.
Of course, he wasn’t as electrifying in the postseason, when he hit the game-winning home run in three games to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in the Wild Card Series.
While Williams was sidelined, Milwaukee was relied upon primarily Trevor Megill and his 100 mph fastball to fill the closer role. On the season, he was 1-3 with an ERA of 2.72 and 21 saves.
Now that their two-time All-Star is out of the lineup, it’s clear that Megill should be the favorite to take over the ninth-round pick in 2025. However, there are other options on the free agent market that could also be considered.
The Milwaukee Brewers could sign Kirby Yates to a two-time All-Star Closer contract
An intriguing name is Kirby Yates, who was an All-Star for the Texas Rangers for the second time in his career last season. He finished the year with a 7-2 record, 1.17 ERA and 33 saves.
Curt Bishop z Illustrated sports believes Milwaukee should consider signing Yates, writing:
“Yates will turn 38 in March and is near the end of a solid career. However, it remains a very useful connector that can serve as a closer when necessary. The Brewers need a presence in the back of the bullpen.
Yates was previously an All-Star in 2019 with the San Diego Padres, when he was 0-5 with a 1.19 ERA and a Major League-leading 41 saves.
Scout his market value is currently $6 million, so this is an option Milwaukee could afford if it felt it needed more depth at the end of its career.
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