THE Los Angeles Dodgers have been predicted to add one of the best closers in baseball in the offseason.
But on Friday, the Dodgers will turn their attention to the New York Yankees as the two teams will play in Game 1 of the World Series in Los Angeles.
A view of Dodger Stadium before Game 1 of the NLCS between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers on October 13[/caption]
Milwaukee Brewers star reliever Devin Williams reacts to recording the third out of the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in September[/caption]
This week, Fansided writer David Gasper proposed a trade that would send Milwaukee Brewers two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to the Dodgers.
The Brewers would receive right-handed pitcher Landon Knack and shortstop Alex Freeland in the deal.
“For one year of Devin Williams, this is a good deal for both sides. The Brewers get additional starting pitching depth with lots of team control and another young, high-upside infielder that could step in early in 2025,” Gasper wrote.
“The Dodgers get to add the best closer in the game to their bullpen and an inside track to signing him to a long-term deal ahead of Williams’ free agency.”
Williams has a $10.5 million option after the season and will be a free agent in 2025.
The small-market Milwaukee squad has a history of not retaining talent that is bound for big paydays.
Last offseason, the team traded away ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles a year before his free agency.
Williams is projected to sign a five-year, $95 million deal in the 2025 free agency.
Gasper made the case as to why trading away the 30-year-old can be beneficial for the Brewers.
“Freeland could push for a big league job in spring training, again similar to the Burnes trade where Joey Ortiz wasn’t guaranteed a spot but earned one in camp,” wrote Gasper.
“Freeland can play shortstop, where he could compete with Ortiz and Turang, but also could lock down third base or second with a plus throwing arm and great speed.
“Freeland slugged 18 homers and stole 31 bases across three levels in the minors in 2024.”
Gasper brought up the shortstop Joey Ortiz, who was part of the Burnes trade.
The 23-year-old Freeland can be used as depth for the shortstop position as the Brewers could lose star Willy Adams in the upcoming free agency.
Williams reacts after a strikeout in the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 18[/caption]
And the 27-year-old Knack can be a piece in the rotation as Milwaukee is expected to lose veterans Frankie Montas and Wade Miley in free agency.
During the 2024 season, Williams missed three minutes due to two stress fractures in his back.
He recorded a 1.31 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 10 walks across 21 games.
However, Williams had a brutal playoff meltdown as he gave up a game-winning three-run home run to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso in the win-or-go-home Game 3 NLDS matchup.
After the performance, he has a career postseason ERA of 23.14 thanks to previous playoff struggles.
Still, Williams has a stellar resume, from winning Rookie of the Year in the 2020 Covid-19 shortened season to back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023.
The Dodgers will have a vacant closer role available after the 2024 season.
The current closer Blake Treinen, who’s been lights out this year, posting a 1.93 ERA in the regular season, will be a free agent after signing a one-year deal worth $8 million in 2023.
The Dodgers will find out more if Treinen is the right man for the job in the future when they face the Yankees on the big stage.
The two iconic franchises haven’t faced each other in the World Series since 1981.
