As the offseason began, the Braves bullpen wasn’t seen as a major issue. While a decision on A.J. Minter was needed, the rest of the unit was projected to be fully healthy heading into 2025.
The situation shifted when it was revealed that Joe Jiménez had undergone knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined for 8-12 months. The hard-throwing right-hander, who had a career year with a 2.62 ERA, 2.34 FIP, and 10.7 K/9 across 69 appearances, is now out of the picture. With A.J. Minter’s season also ending after hip surgery, replacing Jiménez—and possibly Minter—has become a top priority for the Braves.
Fortunately, adding relief pitchers is usually manageable during the offseason. With numerous options available in free agency, the top two bullpen arms—Ryan Helsley and Devin Williams—are currently being offered up in trade discussions.
Braves Trade Hypothetical For Ryan Helsley
Ryan Helsley appears to be the more likely trade candidate this offseason. With the Cardinals signaling a full rebuild and not in contention, they have no reason to keep one of the league’s top closers. Helsley is expected to be moved to the highest bidder as St. Louis looks to capitalize on his value.
While trading top prospects for rental relievers isn’t usually a wise move, Ryan Helsley is far from a typical reliever. Over the past three seasons, he has accumulated 7.2 WAR and posted a 1.83 ERA, including leading MLB with 49 saves last season. Adding him alongside Raisel Iglesias would give the Braves a formidable late-game duo, significantly strengthening their bullpen.
In this hypothetical trade, the Cardinals would acquire two of the Braves’ top pitching prospects. Drue Hackenberg, a second-round pick last year, had an impressive breakout season, quickly advancing to Gwinnett and posting a 1.52 ERA over 23.2 innings with the Stripers. Additionally, Jared Ritchie, a first-round pick in 2022, made a strong comeback from Tommy John surgery, recording a 2.90 ERA over 49.2 innings across three levels. This package would provide the Cardinals with high-upside arms for their rebuilding efforts.
Braves Hypothetical Trade For Devin Williams
The Milwaukee Brewers are actively considering trading their All-Star closer, Devin Williams, this offseason. Despite winning the NL Central in 2024 and being favorites for 2025, the Brewers are exploring this move to address financial constraints and roster flexibility. Williams, a two-time NL Reliever of the Year, is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, with a projected salary of $10.5 million for 2025. Trading him could provide the Brewers with valuable prospects or MLB-ready talent to bolster other areas of their roster.
Potential trade partners include teams seeking to strengthen their bullpen with an elite closer. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned as a possible destination, given their need for a reliable late-inning arm. Additionally, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are reportedly interested in acquiring Williams to enhance their relief pitching.
While the Brewers’ competitiveness in the NL Central makes trading Williams a significant decision, the move could align with their long-term strategy of maintaining financial flexibility and building a sustainable roster. The outcome will depend on the offers they receive and their assessment of the team’s needs moving forward.
Devin Williams has established himself as one of the top relievers in baseball over the past five years. Since his MLB debut in 2019, he has posted a remarkable 1.83 ERA across 235.2 innings. Much of his career has been spent as a setup man ahead of Josh Hader, a role he could potentially fill in Atlanta, serving as a key bridge to closer Raisel Iglesias. His elite performance would provide the Braves with a dominant late-game tandem in their bullpen.
Instead of using the same trade package as for Ryan Helsley, here’s a different mix of prospects that could entice the Brewers for Devin Williams:
Owen Murphy was off to a fantastic start this season before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he remains a high-potential prospect. It would be tough to part with him, but his upside is undeniable. Jhancarlos Lara, while less polished than Murphy, has impressive velocity, touching 100 MPH, along with a nasty slider that complements his fastball. With more development, Lara could establish himself as a starter, but his electric stuff also gives him a solid chance to contribute as a reliever right away.
Devin Williams has become one of the premier relievers in MLB since his debut in 2019, posting an impressive 1.83 ERA over 235.2 innings. Much of his career has been spent as a setup man to Josh Hader, a role he could transition to with the Braves, providing a vital bridge to closer Raisel Iglesias. His elite ability would give Atlanta a formidable late-game duo, strengthening their bullpen significantly.
