The Philadelphia Phillies may have the opportunity to strengthen their bullpen by acquiring one of the best closers in Major League Baseball, Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers.
CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder recently suggested that the Phillies could pursue Williams if they let both Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman depart in free agency. Snyder noted that the Brewers are reportedly shopping their star closer, and Williams would be a great addition to any team in need of bullpen help.
Williams, 30, is widely regarded as one of the most efficient and reliable closers in the game today. Despite being limited to just 22 appearances in 2024 due to injury, he still managed to record 14 saves with an impressive 1.25 ERA. In his last full, healthy season, Williams tallied 36 saves and posted a 1.53 ERA while striking out 87 batters.
For the Phillies, Williams could be exactly what they need to bolster their bullpen. Philadelphia finished the previous season with the sixth-fewest saves in the league, recording just 37. Adding a pitcher of Williams’ caliber would significantly improve their ability to close out games, especially against formidable playoff contenders like the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Williams played on a one-year, $7.25 million deal in 2024, but the Brewers did not pick up his $10.5 million team option for 2025. Instead, they opted to pay him a $250,000 buyout, leaving him under team control but with no guaranteed contract for next season. This could present an opportunity for the Phillies to acquire the star closer and strengthen their push for a World Series title in 2025.