The Milwaukee Brewers have a tough task ahead this offseason: replacing the heart and soul of their clubhouse, shortstop Willy Adames. Since being acquired in a midseason trade in 2021, Adames has quickly become a fan favorite and a franchise cornerstone. His presence has been felt both on the field and in the locker room, with his leadership and electric playmaking abilities, not to mention his record-breaking performances. But as much as Brewers fans would love to see him return, his historic 2024 season has placed him firmly out of the team’s price range, leaving Milwaukee with a sizable hole to fill in both the shortstop position and their lineup.
Adames’ Historic 2024: A Career Year, But a Departure Looms
In 2024, Willy Adames posted one of the best seasons in franchise history for a shortstop. His .251/.331/.462 slash line was impressive, but it was his power and run production that truly set him apart. With 32 home runs, 112 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases, Adames broke multiple franchise records, including his own mark for home runs in a season by a shortstop and Robin Yount’s record for RBIs by a Brewers shortstop. Perhaps most impressively, Adames became the first shortstop in Brewers’ history to post a 30-20 season, solidifying his status as one of the game’s top shortstops.
As much as it was fun to watch Adames rewrite the record books, the Brewers’ front office must also grapple with the financial reality of retaining him. His breakout season has made him an expensive commodity on the open market, pushing him well out of Milwaukee’s price range. With Adames likely headed elsewhere, the Brewers must now turn their attention to the future, and that means finding a new shortstop for the 2025 season.
Joey Ortiz: The Solution at Shortstop, But Not Without Consequences
Fortunately for the Brewers, they may already have a solution waiting in the wings. Before the 2024 season, Milwaukee traded 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for two promising rookies: shortstop Joey Ortiz and left-handed pitcher DL Hall. While Hall struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance, Ortiz proved to be one of the team’s most reliable players in 2024, appearing in 142 games and posting a respectable .239/.329/.398 line with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Although Ortiz started the year as the Brewers’ everyday third baseman, manager Pat Murphy has already indicated that Ortiz will return to his natural shortstop position in 2025. This move solves the defensive problem of replacing Adames at shortstop, but it opens up a new issue at third base. Ortiz’s shift means the Brewers will need to find a new third baseman, and given Adames’ offensive production, that hole is not easily filled.
A Trade for Alec Bohm? The Brewers Could Look to Philly for Help
With the need for a third baseman becoming more pressing, one intriguing trade idea has been floated: the Brewers could send All-Star closer Devin Williams to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm. This idea came to light in a recent article by MLB insider Jim Bowden, who praised the deal as a perfect fit for both teams.
For the Phillies, who are in need of an elite right-handed closer, acquiring Williams could solidify their bullpen and provide the finishing touch to a championship-caliber team. As Bowden notes, if the Phillies are unable to land a big-name third baseman like Alex Bregman or Willy Adames in free agency, a trade for Bohm would allow them to address their long-term third base issue, especially considering that their top third base prospect, Aidan Miller, isn’t expected to make an impact until at least 2026 or 2027.
From the Brewers’ perspective, this deal makes a lot of sense as well. Bohm has been a highly productive player, earning an All-Star selection in 2024 with a solid .280/.332/.448 line, 15 home runs, and 97 RBIs. He had another strong year in 2023, hitting .274/.327/.437 with 20 home runs and 97 RBIs, making him an ideal replacement for Adames in the middle of Milwaukee’s order. Furthermore, Bohm is under team control for the next two seasons, providing the Brewers with the stability they value, and his experience at first base would give manager Pat Murphy more lineup flexibility.
Is This Trade Likely to Happen? Not So Fast
While the trade of Devin Williams to the Phillies for Alec Bohm is an intriguing idea, Brewers fans shouldn’t hold their breath. According to recent reports, the Brewers have no intention of trading Williams this offseason. The All-Star closer, who has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, is seen as a key part of Milwaukee’s bullpen heading into 2025, and it’s far more likely that any potential deal for him would happen closer to the 2025 trade deadline.
That being said, the suggestion of trading for Bohm should not be dismissed entirely. If the Brewers do decide to part ways with Williams in the future, the Phillies could be an ideal trade partner. For now, however, it remains more of a fantasy than a reality, with Milwaukee’s focus likely to shift toward addressing their immediate needs for a third baseman and replacing Adames’ offensive production in the lineup.
The Road Ahead for the Brewers
With the loss of Willy Adames, the Brewers face a significant challenge this offseason. Replacing his leadership and power at the plate won’t be easy, but the team has some solid options in place, with Joey Ortiz stepping in at shortstop and a potential trade for Alec Bohm lingering in the background. However, no matter what moves the Brewers make, one thing is clear: they will have a very different look in 2025, and how they handle these transitions will determine the next chapter of this club’s championship aspirations.
As the Brewers look ahead, fans can rest assured that while replacing Adames is a tall task, the team’s commitment to building a competitive roster remains unwavering. Whether it’s through trade, free agency, or internal promotions, the Brewers will need to be creative to stay atop the NL Central and continue their pursuit of postseason success. The coming months will be crucial in shaping the future of this franchise.
