ESPN: The Yankees is the next AL East team to exploit Milwaukee’s wage disputes

Could the Yankees be the next AL East team to exploit Milwaukee’s wage disputes?

Whether they are contenders or not, the Milwaukee Brewers are always prepared to let go of good veterans if they believe it would improve their long-term and medium-term prospects. If your club is looking for a high-leverage reliever, and the Yankees are one of those teams, here is the reason to be optimistic. Devin Williams, who has been one of the game’s most dominant closers, is likely to face the trading block if he hasn’t already.

Because of the Brewers’ standard protocols for handling conflict involving their marquee players and arbitration challenges, Williams’ position is pretty straightforward. In the most recent instance, Corbin Burnes was transferred to the Orioles last summer after acknowledging that his arbitration ordeal two years prior damaged his relationship with the Brewers.

Williams had a $10.5 million team option on his contract, but the Brewers chose to decline it. Williams missed much of the previous season due to a back issue. Williams, who earned $7.5 million during the previous campaign, will face arbitration. The market for his services is rather large, especially at a price like that of that team option, so a non-tendering option seems unrealistic. Given that Williams is scheduled for free agency after this season and that the Brewers have already run the risk of strained ties with their closer by declining their option for his 2025 season, it is quite likely that they will sell him.

You don’t need to panic if your last recollection of Williams is of Pete Alonso ruining Milwaukee’s hopes of making the playoffs with a game-winning three-run homer in the Wild Card round. Williams is still very good. Williams managed to accumulate over one and a half bWAR even though he only managed a little over 20 innings due to a back problem that held him out until the end of the second half. The Brewers closer’s strikeout percentage above 40% was as absurd as ever, and he gave up only three earned runs in 21.2 innings of work.

Given his standing in the relief market, no right-hander with his shown ability to perform at the highest level is available. Jeff Hoffman is the closest thing, and depending on where he signs, he may try his hand at starting. The other completely dominant arm that is available is Tanner Scott, although even he has seen some ups and downs that Williams hasn’t had throughout his career.

This squad is obviously able to assemble a strong bunch from spare parts when it comes to the Yankee bullpen. But as the postseason shown, there are times when having specific bullpen aces you can truly rely on is helpful, and they’re not always simple to locate.

Luke Weaver was a fantastic addition, and while he may have performed well enough to merit the full-time position, there is no doubt that he would be more useful to this squad as a firefighter. Weaver’s versatility as a former starter allows him to cover many frames, which means he may have a greater influence than he would as a traditional closer. Nevertheless, you can’t just toss another 2023 Clay Holmes in there to close, and Williams is the one you turn to if you want to steer clear of any doubts at all regarding the closer position.

You have a year to see how Williams does in that area before you have to make a decision on his long-term future, even if you are concerned about his long-term health in light of his back issues. The Yankees would be wise to keep an eye on the situation in Milwaukee even if bullpen additions may not be their top priority at the moment.