Milwaukee Brewers: Projected Mock Trade Would Send Devin Williams To the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Milwaukee Brewers will have many personnel decisions to make about the roster before the 2025 MLB season. Milwaukee finished this season with a 93-69 record. They were in first place in the National League Central Division once again.

Milwaukee BrewersDevin Williams — Sep 26, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) and catcher Eric Haase (13) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Brewers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Manager Pat Murphy did a great job leading this team this season. However, they flamed out in the National League Wild Card Series against the New York Mets. Devin Williams gave up a critical three-run homer in the ninth inning of Game 3 in the series.

Projected Mock Trade Would Have the Milwaukee Brewers Sending Devin Williams To the Los Angeles Dodgers

General manager Matt Arnold mentioned in his press conference after the season ended that he has full confidence in Devin Williams. However, that doesn’t mean he could be possibly shopping the closer this offseason.

Fansided writer David Gasper made a mock trade in an article that would send Devin Williams to the Los Angeles Dodgers for bullpen pitcher David Knack and shortstop Alex Freeland. Some of the reasoning that Gasper gave for this potential deal is as follows:

“In a similar vein to the Corbin Burnes trade, the Brewers receive a young pitcher and young position player that are either MLB ready or close to it. Here, it’s Landon Knack and Alex Freeland.

Knack made his MLB debut this season, appearing in 15 regular season games with a 3.65 ERA. The 27 year old righty is currently in a bullpen role with the Dodgers but is a starting pitcher by trade, making 12 starts of his 15 appearances this year. The Brewers are losing Frankie Montas, Wade Miley, and Joe Ross from their rotation mix this offseason and could look to add another inexpensive starting pitcher to make up the depth. Knack would be expendable from the Dodgers roster and could get more regular opportunities in Milwaukee.

Alex Freeland is the second piece included here. The Brewers will need to backfill their infield since Willy Adames is going to leave in free agency this winter. It’s their biggest need this winter and if they’re going to cash in their biggest trade chip in Williams, they’ll likely be looking to fill their biggest need in doing so. Freeland just reached Triple-A this year and is currently ranked as the Dodgers #3 prospect on MLB Pipeline.”

One of the reasons why the Milwaukee Brewers would potentially acquire a shortstop in this trade for the Los Angeles Dodgers is because it is possible that they won’t be re-signing Willy Adames this offseason. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad return for Devin Williams if the Brewers made a move like this during the offseason.

Stats

Oct 3, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams (38) is relieved in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Devin Williams pitched in 22 games this season for the Brewers. He pitched in 21.2 innings and gave up 10 hits and three runs. Williams only walked 11 batters and struck out 38 batters. His ERA was 1.25 and his WHIP was 0.97.

There are teams other than the Los Angeles Dodgers who could use help in the bullpen. The Milwaukee Brewers would be better off keeping Devin Williams, but if they could get a very good return for him, then they should pursue a trade.