The Milwaukee Brewers are facing a challenging offseason as they look to replace shortstop Willy Adames, the heart and soul of their clubhouse. Since being acquired midseason in 2021, Adames has been a fan favorite, setting several franchise records for shortstops. In 2024, Adames had a standout season, posting a .251/.331/.462 line with 32 home runs, 112 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. His 32 home runs broke his own record for a Brewers shortstop, and his 112 RBI surpassed the previous record held by Robin Yount. Additionally, he became the first shortstop in franchise history to record a 30-20 season.
Despite his historic contributions, Adames’ performance has priced him out of the Brewers’ budget, meaning they’ll need to find a new shortstop for the 2025 season. However, the solution to replacing Adames at shortstop brings with it another issue—the Brewers must also fill the hole left at third base and find a way to replicate Adames’ offensive production.
One option on the horizon is Joey Ortiz, whom the Brewers acquired in the trade of Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. Ortiz, a shortstop by trade, played primarily at third base in 2024 after a solid stint in the minors. He posted a .239/.329/.398 slash line with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, and 11 stolen bases across 142 games. In 2025, Ortiz is expected to return to his natural position at shortstop, with Manager Pat Murphy confirming this plan. However, this move creates a gap at third base and does not address the need for a power hitter to replace Adames.
One potential solution that has been floated is a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. MLB insider Jim Bowden recently discussed a proposal in which the Brewers would send All-Star closer Devin Williams and a prospect to the Phillies in exchange for All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm. This trade would help address both the Brewers’ defensive and offensive needs. For the Phillies, acquiring Williams would fill their need for an elite, right-handed closer, while the Brewers would gain a third baseman in Bohm, who could provide the offensive production they’ll lose with Adames’ departure. Bohm had strong seasons in both 2023 and 2024, earning an All-Star selection in 2024 after hitting .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs and 97 RBI.
Bohm, who still has two arbitration years remaining, would provide the Brewers with an affordable option at third base, with the added flexibility of playing first base as well. This versatility would fit into Milwaukee’s strategy, as the team values players who can play multiple positions. However, reports indicate that the Brewers are not planning to trade Williams this offseason, and if they do move him, it would likely be closer to the 2025 trade deadline. Therefore, while this trade idea is intriguing, it remains unlikely to happen before the 2025 season.
In the end, Brewers fans should not expect a trade like this to materialize anytime soon, as the team is committed to keeping Williams for the time being. However, the possibility of acquiring a player like Bohm could provide a much-needed solution to their lineup and defensive needs, making this trade a topic worth watching as the offseason progresses.