Heading into the season, the Milwaukee Brewers face a tough task: replacing the heart and soul of their club, retainer Willy Adames. Since the Brewers acquired him midseason in 2021, he has been a fan favorite and has rewritten the franchise record book for players in his position.
In 2024, Adames hit .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI and 21 stolen bases. His 32 bombs broke his own franchise record for home runs in a season by a shortstop, and his 112 RBIs broke the franchise record previously held by Robin Yount. He also became the first shortstop in franchise history to post a 30-20 season.
It was fun to watch such a historic season, but it was also way out of the Brewers’ price range to re-sign him. In 2025, they will have a up-to-date stop, although the solution at this station creates another need.
Joey Ortiz will start playing shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025
Prior to the start of the 2024 season, the Brewers traded 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to Baltimore Orioles for Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. Both rookies made Milwaukee’s Opening Day roster, although Hall struggled early and ultimately spent most of the year on the injured list.
Ortiz, meanwhile, was one of the Brewers’ most sturdy players. He was a reliever by trade, but he soon became their everyday third baseman and eventually, in 142 games, he hit .239/.329/.398 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
2024 NL Manager of the Year Pat Murphy has already said the plan is to return Ortiz to his natural position in 2025, as it is assumed Adames will not return.
While this solves the problem of replacing Adames on defense, it creates a up-to-date hole at third base and does not solve the need to replace Slugger on offense.
However, there is one intriguing trade idea that could do just that.
The Milwaukee Brewers may trade Devin Williams to the Philadelphia Phillies for Alec Bohm
In the latest article published by AthleteMLB insider Jim Bowden responded to trade pitches sent to him by readers. One of them suggested that Milwaukee send All-Star closer Devin Williams and prospect to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for the All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm.
Bowden thought the trade was perfect for both teams, writing:
“The Phillies need an elite right-hander with high leverage, and I think this trade makes a lot of sense for them, especially if they could turn around and acquire Alex Bregman or Willy Adames to replace Bohm at the hot corner. I don’t think Phillies prospect Aidan Miller will be ready to pitch third in the majors until at least 2026 or 2027. I’ve heard rumors that they might be interested in acquiring Arenado from the Cardinals and I really think playing at Citizens Bank Park would help him, but St. Louis would have to take over most of his contract.
“I also like this trade from the Brewers’ perspective because Bohm would eliminate third base and replace Adames in their lineup, allowing Ortiz to play shortstop while Brice Turang remains at second.”
It should be noted that recent reports indicate that Milwaukee has no intention of trading Williams this offseason. If they move him, it will be before the 2025 trade deadline.
Given this, it’s effortless to see why this commercial proposition would be attractive to brewers. Bohm made the NL All-Star team last season after hitting .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs and 97 RBI.
Bohm was also productive in 2023, hitting .274/.327/.437 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI.
Milwaukee obviously values players who are still under club control, and Bohm has 2025 and 2026 arbitration years remaining. He also has experience at first base, making him a player that Murphy can place in multiple positions, which is an asset to both himself and the organization.
Considering all this, Brewers fans shouldn’t expect this, at least not before the season. As already mentioned, they intend to keep Williams, so this type of deal is just a fantasy for now.
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