As relievers start to sign in free agency, could Mariners instead trade for Devin Williams?

According to MLB Network and Jon Morosi, the Brewers are "Open for Business." Hearing that is like blood in the water for Jerry Dipoto. Jerry has already made a few moves, the biggest yet being trading young reliever Isaiah Campbell for infielder Luis Urias. While this is a high-upside play, it leaves a relatively thin bullpen even thinner. Even though Dipoto and co. have shown an ability to develop solid relievers, there is nothing like getting arguably the best closer in baseball, Devin Williams.

By fWAR standards, Williams has quite literally been the best reliever in baseball since 2020, compiling a 6.8 fWAR during that time span. Over those 4 years he has thrown just over 200 innings with a 1.75 ERA, striking out 14.51 per 9. He has one of the best pitches in baseball. It is a filthy changeup that he throws almost 58% of the time, and I don't blame him, he has an impressive whiff rate of 42.2% and opponents slugged just .187 off that pitch.

I have worked on coming up with a couple of trade ideas that might pique the interest of the Brewers. I am sure the Brewers would love to have one of Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo, but I just don't see the Mariners doing that. I think if Miller or Woo are traded, it would be for a legit middle-of-the-order, controllable bat.

Mariners Acquire Devin Williams for Harry Ford, Jonatan Clase and Walter Ford

Ford is one of the top 2 Mariners prospects depending on who you ask. He is the prize of this deal as the 39th overall prospect in all of baseball. He seems like the ideal Dipoto player running walk rates near 19% and 20% the last 2 years, but that is the price to get a guy like Williams. He has posted an OBP over 400 in every season while hitting double-digit home runs the last 2 years. From the reports I have read, Ford has made some big strides behind the dish, but is athletic enough to play almost anywhere on the diamond.

Clase gives the Brewers a high-upside outfielder. Clase possesses elite speed with over 70 stolen bases this year while throwing in some pop, 20 home runs in 2023. He is probably safely a 4th outfielder with some interesting tools with the ceiling to be an everyday outfielder with 15 home run pop and could lead baseball in steals. Ford is a young, but talented pitcher. He was a high pick a couple of years ago and has a very high ceiling.