Milwaukee Brewers closer has solidified his reputation as one of MLB’s premier relief pitchers, but he may soon be on the move following a significant contract decision by the Brewers.
The team declined’ $10.5 million club option, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Instead, will receive a $250,000 buyout and enter his final arbitration year with Milwaukee in 2025, where he’s projected to earn around $8-9 million. This development makes Williams a prime trade candidate for teams in need of bullpen reinforcements.
With 2025 potentially being his last season in Milwaukee, Williams will likely attract interest from contenders aiming to strengthen their pitching staff. While the Brewers may still choose to keep him as they push for another postseason berth—having comfortably clinched the NL Central by 10 games in 2024—his availability could draw significant attention as the trade deadline approaches if he’s not moved this offseason.
Williams was a key factor in the Brewers’ inability to turn their strong regular season into a deeper playoff push. In Game 3 of the NL Wild Card series against the Mets, he surrendered a crucial three-run homer to Pete Alonso, resulting in a blown save that ultimately ended the Brewers’ season.
However, this disappointing finish shouldn’t overshadow Williams’ contributions throughout 2024. Although he missed significant time early in the season with a back injury, he came back in top form. The former National League Reliever of the Year posted 14 saves over 22 appearances, allowing just three runs in 21.2 innings and proving why he remains a standout in the Brewers’ bullpen.
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