Bleacher Report predicts Dodgers will make blockbuster trade for closer in offseason

The Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen has been critically important as the club tries to take a World Series against the Yankees with just three starters available.

LA has made it to the Fall Classic despite throwing bullpen games every four days. Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia and Blake Treinen have taken the ball in the late innings of tight contests because the Dodgers don't have a true closer and have lost Joe Kelly and Evan Phillips to injuries.

The Yankees have threatened the Dodgers late-inning bullpen arms a couple of times, but couldn't come through. LA's relief corps has had a "bend don't break" vibe this year, and more stability is required.

Kelly's an impending free agent, and after an off year with a 4.78 ERA in 32 innings, Los Angeles may not be interested in a reunion with the 37-year-old. Treinen, Daniel Hudson and JP Feyereisen are a couple other relievers who will be hitting the open market.

That apparently prompted Bleacher Report to predict the Dodgers will solve their late-inning vacancy by trading for Brewers closer Devin Williams this offseason.

Williams will be a free agent after the 2025 season, but Milwaukee may decide to trade him before his contract expires. The Brewers aren't exactly a hot destination for free agents, and a trade may be the best way for them to guarantee a quality return after Williams' departure — the same reason they traded Corbin Burnes to the Orioles before the 2024 season started.

Bleacher Report suggests Dodgers may trade for Brewers closer Devin Williams this offseason

Williams' 2024 season ended on a rough note. He let up four runs in the ninth inning of Milwaukee's do-or-die Wild Card game against the Mets, including Pete Alonso's heroic three-run homer that kept his squad alive long enough to lose to the Dodgers in the NLCS.

Besides his postseason appearances, Williams is one of the best closers in MLB. The 30-year-old posted a 1.25 ERA over 21 2/3 innings this season, with 14 saves on 15 opportunities, after returning from injury. He spent time on the 60-day injured list with a back stress fracture, but Williams is usually more durable — he logged 54 innings or more in 2021, '22 and '23. Over his six-year career, he's pitched to a 1.83 ERA with 375 strikeouts over 235 2/3 innings, all in Milwaukee.

The Dodgers have the makings of a fearsome rotation next year with Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Tony Gonsolin expected to be back in action alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto. There are only a few top-tier starters available this winter, though, and LA might not be able to sign one or more of them. Trading for Williams could help the Dodgers put an exclamation point on stabilizing their bullpen so they won't have to break the bank for another pricey starter.