Dodgers’ Top Trade Target May Not Be Available After All

One of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top trade targets may not be available this offseason after all.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Milwaukee Brewers plan to keep All-Star closer Devin Williams until at least the All-Star break. Then, they may consider trading him at the deadline. At the general manager meetings in early November, president of baseball operations Matt Arnold left open the possibility that the Brewers could move Williams this winter.

“Certainly we have to be open to those types of things, but I think he makes our team better,” Arnold said. “We have to be open to those types of moves; if we think something good presents itself, we’ll always have to listen.”

Earlier this month, Dodgers Nation’s Noah Camras proposed a trade involving the Dodgers and Brewers. The Dodgers would receive Williams in exchange for infielder Gavin Lux and right-handed pitching prospects Peter Heubeck and Payton Martin.

Eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts will be moving back to the infield in 2025. That leaves Lux, Miguel Rojas, and Tommy Edman fighting for the other infield spot. Meanwhile, the Brewers are expected lose free agent shortstop Willy Adames, opening up an infield position in Milwaukee. Therefore, the trade would give Lux a better chance at an everyday starting spot in 2025.

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Additionally, Williams is a two-time National League Reliever of the Year. He would strengthen the Dodgers bullpen, which significantly contributed to the World Series championship.

The Brewers currently have an eight-man bullpen highlighted by Williams as the dominant closer. This past season, Williams logged a 1.25 ERA with 38 strikeouts. He has consistently remained at or below the 2.50 ERA mark for five consecutive seasons. Milwaukee declined his $10.5 million club option on Nov. 3 but the 30-year-old right-hander has one more year of team control.

Although Williams may not be available as a trade option this offseason, the Dodgers will likely keep their eye on him throughout the first half of the season. Williams would be an impactful last-minute addition to the bullpen as the Dodgers aim to be back-to-back World Series champions.

Also, even if the Brewers don’t want to trade Williams, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t be enticed to move him for the right deal.