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?
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.
