Reds Rumors: Cincinnati eyeing former division rival who used to torment their lineup

This isn't a name fans were expecting.

Drew Koch

New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams / Mark Smith-Imagn Images

After losing relievers Emilio Pagán, Nick Martinez, Scott Barlow, and Brent Suter to free agency, the Cincinnati Reds must figure out how to make meaningful upgrades to the bullpen this offseason.

Adding former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams would certainly suffice, and according to The Athletics' Will Samson (subscription required), the Reds are one of a dozen teams who've expressed interest in signing him this offseason.

Given the Reds limited resources this offseason, these latest Reds rumors seem somewhat unlikely to result in an actual agreement. Most experts expect Williams to ink a deal worth at least $17 million per season. That signing alone would eat up the the majority of the Reds' entire offseason budget; unless, of course, the front office is looking to move a handful of players who are set to receive raises through arbitration this winter.

Reds Rumors: Cincinnati eyeing former division rival Devin Williams

Though he pitched for the New York Yankees this past season, most Reds fans will remember Williams for his time in the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen. Over the years, Williams' changeup — which he calls the Airbender — has struck more batters than Reds fans care to count.

Williams enjoyed a lot of success during his time in Milwaukee, but didn't put up anywhere close to the same numbers during his lone season in the Bronx. In his six years with the Brewers, Williams posted a sparkling 1.83 ERA over 241 games and struck out 375 batters along the way. After joining the Yankees last season, however, Williams' ERA soared to 4.79, though his strikeout numbers were still top-notch.

Williams' career splits against Cincinnati will make most Reds fans turn away in disgust. The right-hander faced the Reds 34 times and Cincinnati batters could only a muster a .098 batting average against him. In total, Williams recorded 15 saves against Cincinnati and posted a 1.32 ERA while striking out 64 Reds hitters in 34 innings of work.

Nick Krall and the Reds front office certainly know how dominant Williams can be, so it's no wonder why they check in on the two-time All-Star this early in the offseason. If Williams is looking for a pillow contract — a short-term deal after underperforming the previous season — then perhaps the Reds would be a nice fit. If, however, he's looking for a multi-year deal, it likely won't be with Cincinnati.

Drew Koch

Drew Koch has been an MLB Staff Writer since January 2024 and part of the FanSided Network since June 2018. Drew's contributions have been published on Blog Red Machine, Friars on Base, BoSox Injection, Lombardi Avenue, Wildcat Blue Nation, Motor City Bengals, and many other sites within the FanSided Network. When he's not cheering wildly for the Cincinnati Reds or the Kentucky Wildcats, Drew enjoys fishing, golfing, playing cribbage and other card games, listening to country and classical music, and spending time with his family and friends.