Brewers GM's recent comments hint at off-season departures for two star players

The Milwaukee Brewers held their end of season press conference on Thursday as GM Matt Arnold sat in front of the assembled media after yet another tough playoff exit. Arnold said he was still riding the wave of emotions and the hurt following the elimination, but now the work turns to focus on next season.

Naturally, one of the first topics of discussion was Willy Adames, the Brewers star shortstop who is slated for free agency this winter.

Pat Murphy said at the end of the regular season that chances were this was Adames' last year in Milwaukee. Owner Mark Attanasio has said that other teams have deeper pockets. Both were hinting that Adames was leaving in free agency and now GM Matt Arnold has also hinted the same thing.

Brewers GM Matt Arnold hints at Willy Adames departure in free agency

When asked about the pending departure of Adames in free agency and what he would say to the fans about losing such as star player, Matt Arnold said, "I can point to a number of guys whether that's Jackson Chourio, or Christian Yelich or Freddy Peralta, Aaron Ashby, players that we've invested in to keep here. We can't keep everybody, that's the reality of what we are."

That's as much of a concrete answer that Willy Adames isn't coming back as you can expect out of a general manager.

Reports indicate Adames is seeking as much as a $200 million contract in free agency. As the only viable starting shortstop on the open market this winter, there's a very good chance he gets that or at the very least something close to it. The Brewers know and are already essentially saying that they aren't going to be able to afford to keep Adames. The players Arnold listed all signed contract extensions well before free agency.

Arnold also talked plenty about how they love Adames in the clubhouse and they had opportunities to trade him but chose not to because of not only his play on the field but what he brought in the clubhouse.

However, Adames wasn't the only star player Arnold was asked about potentially leaving Milwaukee this offseason.

Devin Williams hinted as possible trade candidate this offseason

Devin Williams is heading into his final year of team control before hitting free agency, meaning he's at a similar spot Corbin Burnes was last offseason when Milwaukee traded him. After years of being a dominant reliever, does he still fit in the Brewers plans?

When asked about the Devin Williams situation, Matt Arnold said, "Never want to close the door on anything, I think on anything we have to stay open minded, we're the smallest market in the league so that's something that's required in the place that we are."

Staying open minded and referencing their small market status is a very strong hint that the Brewers are open to trading Devin Williams this offseason. Matt Arnold is not going to openly commit to saying he's going to be traded, because that hurts his leverage in negotiations, but if he was committed to keeping Williams, he would've said something that sounded more like they're keeping him.

When Adames trade rumors kicked up last year, Matt Arnold stated that they would not trade Adames. When these same rumors are kicking up about Williams, Arnold said they have to be open minded and that they're a small market. The difference between those two responses is quite clear.

Arnold was effusive in his praise of Williams and what he's done over the years, including winning two NL Reliever of the Year awards, and also said "I still believe he's the best closer in baseball and I'm happy to have him".

The best closer in baseball should fetch a high price on the trade market. He's happy to have him, yes, the Brewers are happy to have any good player, but even the praise of Williams doesn't counteract the fact that he's a very likely trade piece this winter.

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