As the Milwaukee Brewers head into the offseason, the big question looming over the franchise pertains to the future of their ace closer, Devin Williams. With his last season of team control on the horizon, all signs suggest that Williams, a formidable right-hander now at 30, is set to become a hot commodity on the trade market.
Brewers General Manager Matt Arnold has been upfront about the team’s openness to exploring various possibilities with Williams. He hinted that Milwaukee’s status as a small-market team could heavily influence their decision-making process, which seems to suggest that the Brewers may indeed look to move Williams sooner rather than later.
So, if we’re talking trade, the conversation isn’t about ‘if’ but ‘when’ and ‘where.’ Among possible contenders, the Los Angeles Dodgers emerge as a likely destination. Their financial clout would allow them to easily absorb Williams’ contract and maybe even offer him a long-term deal before he dips his toes into free agency.
The Dodgers have a reputation for leveraging their substantial payroll but also excel because of their strong farm system and depth. They are a team that often has talent waiting in the wings, just needing an opportunity to shine. Take Bryan Hudson, for example—after he was designated for assignment by the Dodgers, the Brewers snapped him up, and he proved to be a reliable presence throughout the season.
Now, envision a hypothetical trade scenario involving Devin Williams. The framework is akin to the Corbin Burnes trade, where the Brewers secured young players with strong potential. In this case, it’s Landon Knack and Alex Freeland coming their way.
Landon Knack, who stepped onto the MLB stage this season, boasts a solid 3.65 ERA across 15 games. Though the 27-year-old served in a bullpen capacity with the Dodgers, he’s fundamentally a starting pitcher, having launched 12 of his 15 appearances. With the Brewers likely to see Frankie Montas, Wade Miley, and Joe Ross exit their rotation, Knack offers a budget-friendly option to bolster their pitching depth.
On the other side, Alex Freeland comes in as the second key asset. With Willy Adames expected to leave for free agency, the Brewers face a substantial gap in their infield.
Freeland, who just reached Triple-A and is ranked as the Dodgers’ third-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, could be the perfect fit. There’s a chance he could break into the big leagues come spring training.
With the versatility to cover shortstop, third, or second base, Freeland brings a compelling mix of power (18 homers) and speed (31 steals), making him a valuable piece for Milwaukee’s future.
As trade talks heat up, this potential deal offers both teams clear benefits. The Brewers not only shore up their starting rotation but also add a promising infielder ready to contribute in 2025. Meanwhile, the Dodgers amplify their bullpen strength with perhaps the top closer around and position themselves favorably to retain Williams beyond his current contract.
