Potential Devin Williams trade partner may be out of the market after latest signing

Devin Williams is going to be the hottest name on the reliever trade market this winter. He's proven to be an elite closer and has one year of team control left with the Milwaukee Brewers. GM Matt Arnold has said he has to be open minded with regards to Williams this offseason.

The Brewers are certainly going to be listening to offers for Williams and exploring if they can get good value back this offseason. However, one team that was expected to be in the market for a closer this offseason just signed one and may now be out of the market for Williams.

The Phillies just signed Jordan Romano, former closer for the Toronto Blue Jays, to a one year contract.

Did the Brewers just lose a potential trade partner after Phillies signed Jordan Romano?

The Phillies enter this offseason losing a bunch of high leverage bullpen arms and seemed a clear match for the Brewers in the Devin Williams sweepstakes. Philly is looking to move Alec Bohm and the Brewers have a need on the left side of the infield. Now the need to a star closer is lesser for Philadelphia, which may take them out of the bidding for Williams

It likely doesn't change their desire to move Bohm and that doesn't mean the Brewers can't still make a trade for him if they want to. However with the price the Phillies are looking for for Bohm, there aren't many alternatives from the big league roster the Brewers would be willing to offer to make that trade.

Because the Phillies do have multiple holes to fill in their bullpen and Romano is coming off a down season, there's a chance they'd still be interested in Williams and a trade could come together. The door may not be closed entirely, but it certainly lessens the need for Philly to be involved in Williams' market.

The Brewers should still have plenty of other teams with interest. The Rangers, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and others are expected to have needs in the back end of their bullpen and are logical fits for Williams. If Philly doesn't close the door on Williams because of this move, it would take one closer off the market but not take a team out of the market, which would be good news for the Brewers in their shopping of Williams.

If Milwaukee is going to trade Devin Williams, this offseason is the best time to do it and if they're going to get the best possible price, they may need to move sooner than later before more teams potentially take themselves out of the market.