The Milwaukee Brewers have a significant challenge this offseason: finding a replacement for their clubhouse leader, shortstop Willy Adames. Since joining the team in a midseason trade in 2021, Adames has become a fan favorite and has rewritten the franchise’s record book for his position.
In 2024, Adames posted a .251/.331/.462 slash line with 32 home runs, 112 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. His 32 home runs set a new franchise record for a shortstop, surpassing his previous mark, while his 112 RBIs broke the record previously held by Robin Yount. Adames also became the first shortstop in franchise history to achieve a 30-20 season.
As thrilling as it was to witness such a historic season, Adames’s performance has likely priced him out of the Brewers’ budget for a new contract. The team will have a different shortstop in 2025, but filling that position will create yet another gap to address.
Joey Ortiz Will Start at Shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025
Before the start of the 2024 season, the Brewers traded 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. Both rookies secured spots on Milwaukee’s Opening Day roster, but Hall faced early struggles and spent a significant part of the season on the injured list.
Ortiz, in contrast, proved to be one of the Brewers’ most reliable players. Initially a shortstop, he transitioned to everyday third baseman and finished the season with a .239/.329/.398 line, 11 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 142 games.
2024 NL Manager of the Year Pat Murphy has already said that the plan is for Ortiz to return to his natural position in 2025 since Adames is presumed not to be back.
While this solves the problem of replacing Adames on defense, it creates a new hole at third base and does not address the need of replacing the slugger’s offense.
However, there is one intriguing trade idea that could.
The Milwaukee Brewers Could Trade Devin Williams to the Philadelphia Phillies for Alec Bohm
In a recent article from The Athletic, MLB insider Jim Bowden addressed trade proposals submitted by readers. One proposal suggested that the Milwaukee Brewers trade All-Star closer Devin Williams and a prospect to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm.
Bowden thought the trade was perfect for both teams, writing:
“The Phillies need an elite, right-handed, high-leverage closer and I think this deal makes a lot of sense for them, especially if they could turn around and sign either Alex Bregman or Willy Adames to replace Bohm at the hot corner. I don’t think Phillies prospect Aidan Miller will be ready to play third in the majors until at least 2026 or 2027. I’ve heard the rumors they could have interest in getting Arenado from the Cardinals and I do think playing at Citizens Bank Park would help him, but St. Louis would need to absorb a lot of his contract.
“I also like this trade from the Brewers’ perspective because Bohm would solve third base and replace Adames in their lineup, allowing Ortiz to play shortstop with Brice Turang remaining at second.”
It’s important to note that recent reports indicate the Brewers have no plans to trade Devin Williams this offseason. If they do decide to move him, it is expected to happen ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
That said, it’s easy to understand why this trade proposal would appeal to the Brewers. Alec Bohm made the NL All-Star team last season, posting a .280/.332/.448 line with 15 home runs and 97 RBIs.
Bohm was productive in 2023 as well, hitting .274/.327/.437 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI.
Milwaukee clearly values players who are still under club control, and Bohm fits that profile with two years of arbitration eligibility remaining (2025 and 2026). Additionally, his experience at first base makes him a versatile option, allowing manager Craig Counsell to use him at multiple positions—something both he and the organization highly value.
That said, Brewers fans shouldn’t expect this trade to happen, at least not before the season. As mentioned, the team intends to keep Devin Williams, so a deal of this nature remains more of a fantasy for now.
