Phillies trade package for Devin Williams that might actually work if the Brewers are selling

Despite their lack of roster moves this offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies continue to be mentioned as a destination for available free agents and as a trade suitor for certain players. Recently, the Milwaukee Brewers shockingly traded Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles shortly after signing former Phillie Rhys Hoskins.

Milwaukee may be undergoing a rebuild as two of the better players, shortstop Willy Adames and closer Devin Williams, have been mentioned in trade rumors.

The Phillies have been mentioned in rumors as a suitor for Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase. Philly is viewed as a destination for Milwaukee's closer as well. Philadelphia's current closer is expected to be José Alvarado, who has some experience but has only had 45 save opportunities over his seven years in the majors. Another option could be reliever Gregory Soto, who has 62 save opportunities during his five-year career, including 52 in two seasons with the Detroit Tigers.

Williams converted 15 of 17 save opportunities in 2022, followed by 36 of 40 last season with the Brewers. He finished the year with a 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 37.7 percent strikeout rate. If the Phillies were to acquire him, it would give them another option to close games should manager Rob Thomson prefer to use Alvarado and Soto in the seventh or eighth innings.

The Milwaukee closer is also a right-handed thrower, unlike Soto and Alvarado, who are both left-handed pitchers, which would give Philly options who throw both left- and right-handed. If the Brewers are looking for prospects, who from the Phillies might interest them in a deal for Williams?

Who could the Phillies offer in a trade package for Devin Williams?

Teams have shown interest in two young Phillies prospects: shortstop Bryan Rincon (No. 28 prospect in 2023) and catcher Eduardo Tait (No. 23). It may not be in their best interest to trade either young player if other organizations have expressed a desire in acquiring them. However, in the case of Rincon, Philadelphia signed Trea Turner to a long-term deal last offseason and may not have an opening for him at shortstop once he is ready to debut at the major league level.

Tait is a different story, even with catcher Caleb Ricketts ahead of him in their minor league system. J.T. Realmuto will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season. The Phillies will have a presumed opening at the position. The 17-year-old Panama native will not be ready to be promoted to the majors for at least five years. However, the Phillies could have a special player in the young catcher and should hold off on trading him.

So, in a deal for Williams, the Phillies could offer the following prospects:

Phillies receive: RHP Devin Williams

Brewers receive: RHP Griff McGarry (No. 5), OF Devin Saltiban (No. 18), SS Bryan Rincon (No. 28)

The Phillies would be receiving a two-time (2020, 2023) NL Reliever of the Year Award winner and a potential closer. While McGarry is a top-five prospect in Philadelphia's minor league system, Philly would need to part with one of its top prospects presuming (No. 1-4) Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, Justin Crawford, and Aidan Miller are untouchable, as they all should be.

Saltiban is a young, 18-year-old outfielder who debuted in the minors last year. Rincon looks to be talented, but there isn't room in the majors with the Phillies at shortstop as long as Turner is around, which will be for the next five to seven years at least. With Williams, Philadelphia adds a reliever who could make a difference for the club to potentially win a World Series in 2024.