The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen could look very different in 2025.
Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman will be free agents and could pitch elsewhere next season. While predicting offseason moves, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller suggested the Phillies could trade for Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.
"Much like last winter when the Minnesota Twins exercised their $10.5M club option on Jorge Polanco in November only to trade him away in January, look for the Brew Crew to 'keep' Williams before trading him—possibly to the Phillies, who have both Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman hitting free agency and have been in a near-permanent state of trying to find a reliable closer," wrote Miller.
The Brewers traded Corbin Burnes to the Orioles in the final year of his deal as well. Williams has been a dominant force for the Brewers in the regular season. He has won the Trevor Hoffman Award twice, given to the National League's best reliever. He has a 1.83 career ERA and is a two-time All-Star. However, he has not produced in the postseason.
"He was unavailable for the postseason in both 2020 (shoulder injury) and 2021 (broken hand from punching a wall), gave up two earned runs in 0.2 IP during the 2023 postseason, and allowed four earned runs in 1.2 IP this postseason," wrote Miller.
He has a $10.5 million club option for 2025. Spotrac projects Williams to earn a five-year, $95 million deal in free agency. The Brewers do not dish out that kind of money, so they could look to get something for Williams before he walks.
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