Brewers, Williams head for arb after club declines $10.5M option

The Milwaukee Brewers declined right-hander Devin Williams' $10.5-million club option for 2025, the team announced.

The star closer will remain with the Brewers but is now expected to make between $8 million and $9 million next season in his final year of arbitration.

Williams collected $7 million in 2024 after he avoided arbitration.

The two-time All-Star posted a 1.25 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, 14 saves, and 38 strikeouts over 21 2/3 innings after missing the first four months of the season due to stress fractures in his back.

Williams owns a sparkling 1.83 ERA with 68 saves and a 14.3 K/9 across 241 appearances over six years with Milwaukee.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold acknowledged in mid-October that his team must be "open-minded" about the possibility of trading the 30-year-old reliever.

MLB will produce and distribute local broadcasts for Milwaukee next year, which could lead to the club seeing less revenue after its deal with Diamond Sports Group ended. The team finished the 2024 campaign in the bottom third of the majors in payroll at $115 million.