The Milwaukee Brewers successfully avoided arbitration with three key players on Thursday, securing agreements with 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes, two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams, and shortstop Willy Adames.
Corbin Burnes inked a one-year contract for $15,637,500, while Willy Adames secured $12.25 million for the upcoming season. Devin Williams initially had his 2024 salary proposals exchanged with the Brewers, setting the stage for arbitration. However, they swiftly reached a resolution by agreeing to a one-year deal with a 2025 club option. Williams’ original request was $7.3 million, and Milwaukee offered $6.65 million. Ultimately, they settled on a $7.25 million, one-year contract, potentially totaling $18.5 million for two seasons with added award bonuses. Williams, a 29-year-old reliever, had an outstanding 2023 season, earning the NL reliever of the year title.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70334590/usa_today_16829096.0.jpg)
In addition to these key players, the Brewers also signed one-year deals with right-handed pitchers Joel Payamps ($1.65 million) and Bryse Wilson ($1,025,000), as well as first baseman Jake Bauers ($1.35 million).
Corbin Burnes, who had lost an arbitration hearing the previous year, expressed his feelings about the process, emphasizing that it had strained the player-organization relationship. Burnes, a 29-year-old right-hander, agreed to the new deal after posting a 10-8 record with a 3.39 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings during the previous season.
Willy Adames, at 28 years old, received a salary increase from $8.7 million after a season where he batted .217 with a .310 on-base percentage, 24 homers, and 80 RBIs in 149 games. Adames, the Brewers’ most valuable player in 2021 and 2022 according to the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, is eligible for free agency after the upcoming season, as is Corbin Burnes.
Devin Williams secured a $7 million salary for the current year, with the Brewers holding a $10.5 million option for 2024 and a $250,000 buyout. The option’s price can increase based on the number of games pitched in the current year, with various escalations. Williams is also eligible for performance-related bonuses, such as those tied to Cy Young Award voting, All-Star team selection, and other achievements.