Reds' killer could become prime trade candidate following Brewers' shrewd roster move

The Cincinnati Reds would love to see less of Devin Williams in 2025, and they may get their wish. The Reds' killer could be on the move this offseason after the Milwaukee Brewers pulled off a rather shrewd roster move over the weekend.

The Brewers declined Williams' $10.5 million team-option for 2025. However, because Milwaukee's closer is still under team-control, some estimates assume that the Brewers could save upwards of $2 million by going to arbitration rather than exercising Williams' option.

That is unlikely to sit well with Williams. Though Milwaukee is well within their right to decline the option, taking $2 million away from your best reliever isn't the best way to make friends. Don't be shocked if this is a prelude to an offseason trade.

Reds' killer could become prime trade candidate following Brewers' shrewd roster move

This has become somewhat of a pattern for the Brewers of late. Milwaukee traded former closer Josh Hader at the 2022 MLB trade deadline and the Brewers dealt former ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles last offseason.

It's hard to argue with the Brewers' methods, as Milwaukee has won the NL Central that past two seasons, but there's a certain belief that this type of "business-like" approach could sour some players currently on the roster and pending free agents.

Williams has been a thorn in the Reds' side since his debut in 2019. That devestating changeup has made many Reds' hitters look foolish over the years. The 30-year-old is 2-1 with 15 saves in 33 games against the Reds with a 1.36 ERA and 64 punch outs. That is by far his most dominant stat line among all NL Central clubs. His 15 saves against Cincinnati is nine more than the closest competitor, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Reds fans would love to see Williams wearing a different uniform in 2025. But don't take that to mean that the Brewers are giving up on next season. That was the overwhelming thought after Milwaukee traded Burnes and lost Brandon Woodruff last winter, but the Brewers rallied under new manager Pat Murphy and won yet another NL Central Division championship. The Brewers don't rebuild, they reload.

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