Williams receives a $250,000 buyout and is projected to earn nearly $8 million in arbitration
The Milwaukee Brewers have declined their $10.5-million club option on closer Devin Williams, instead paying him a $250,000 buyout and entering arbitration in his final year before hitting the open market in free agency.
Williams, 30, is in his final year of arbitration and is projected to earn around $8 million. ESPN reporter Jeff Passan projects $8-$9 million, while MLB Trade Rumors projects $7.7 million.
In six seasons with the Brewers, Williams has made 241 appearances, spanning 235 2⁄3 innings with a 1.83 ERA, 2.39 FIP, and 375 strikeouts. He won NL Rookie of the Year in 2020, is a two-time All-Star, and was named NL Reliever of the Year in 2020 and 2023.
He missed the first half of 2024 with stress fractures in his back, ultimately appearing in 22 games with 38 strikeouts across 21 2⁄3 innings, pitching to a 1.25 ERA with 14 saves. He pitched 1 2⁄3 innings across two appearances in Milwaukee’s NL Wild Card Series with the Mets, allowing four runs — including a devastating three-run homer from Pete Alonso — in the series finale loss.
Williams’ name has been bounced around as an offseason trade candidate as Milwaukee is unlikely to sign him beyond the end of his contract next year.