When Willy Adames performs, his groups win. That, plus a dream stroll yr, has made him a extremely sought-after free agent, one who’s making ready to money in after years of flying beneath the radar in smaller markets, first with the Tampa Bay Rays after which with the Milwaukee Brewers.
“All over the place he is been, they’ve gained,” fellow shortstop Dansby Swanson stated. “He is a gamer.”
Within the winter of 2022, Swanson was a part of a blockbuster free agent shortstop class that additionally included Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner. However since Adames broke into the massive leagues in 2018, none of these multiple-time All-Stars — nor another major shortstop in MLB — has the next staff profitable share in video games they’ve performed in than Adames’ groups do when he is on the sphere (.586), based on ESPN Analysis.
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Adames is only a single participant in a staff recreation, however based mostly on conversations with those that have performed with him, coached him or just been round him, he has that “it” issue. He is a clubhouse glue man coming off the most effective season of his seven-year profession whereas serving to the Brewers dominate within the Nationwide League Central. Earlier than being traded there from Tampa Bay in 2021, he made the postseason with the Rays twice, together with a World Sequence look in 2020.
“Willy is a connector, that is No. 1,” his former supervisor, Craig Counsell, stated. “No. 2, he has an infectious character. These two factors are associated. They draw individuals to him. Gamers, followers, teaching staffs. There aren’t many gamers which have it.”
Here is what makes Adames such an enormous draw this offseason — and the way he may match a number of high groups as they give the impression of being to bolster their infields this winter.
He had a profession yr on the proper time
When you imagine in clutch, Adames was your man in 2024. It begins along with his multi-run house runs. The 29-year previous hit 14 lengthy balls with both two males on base or the bases loaded this season, 5 greater than another participant in 2024 and probably the most since Jimmie Foxx in 1938. 13 of them had been three-run house runs — tying Ken Griffey Jr. for probably the most ever.
“Is it repeatable?” one rival NL government requested. “Chances are high it isn’t. However he is reached a stage the place you need him on the plate in an enormous second.”
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It isn’t simply the house runs that stand out. His 28 RBIs within the eighth inning or later this yr had been fifth most in baseball and probably the most for a Brewer since Jeromy Burnitz had 36 in 1998. Adames additionally batted about 35 factors larger in recreation conditions deemed late/shut in comparison with earlier within the contest.
“He has the flexibility to decrease the temperatures in aggravating conditions,” one AL scout stated.
Mentioned one other: “That is a superb signal for a man that may play in an enormous market, particularly coming from a smaller one.”
This previous season, Adames set profession highs in homers (32), RBIs (112) and stolen bases (21) whereas ending fifth in fWAR amongst shortstops. He additionally struck out a profession excessive 173 instances.
“We’ll dwell with the Okay’s,” stated a scout from a staff focused on him this offseason.
General, Adames has probably the most house runs and RBIs by a shortstop since 2021. Swanson, whose brother-in-law Jace Peterson performed with Adames in Milwaukee, watched with admiration as Adames’ profession took off.
“When guys like that get rolling, the boldness plus the mentality provides as much as a monster yr,” Peterson stated. “RBIs all the time stack up. We devalue that. Some guys are simply good at it. With individuals on-base, he appears to be all the time at his greatest. It has been enjoyable to observe.”
He can fill a gap at brief — however may be open to a place change
By most accounts, each metrics and scouting, Adames is a middle-of-the-pack defensive shortstop — he completed final in defensive runs saved in 2024, based on Sports activities Data Options, however that was only one yr faraway from ending eighth in the identical class. Some imagine he’d be a fair higher third baseman, particularly as he ages.
“Sturdy arm, good vary is how I see him at third,” one government stated. “The truth is, he may be higher suited there.”
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Adames is open to a place change, however provided that all different elements match his needs, based on sources near the state of affairs. If the staff, metropolis and contract work — however there’s an incumbent at shortstop — Adames may transfer over to 3rd and even to second base. He is appeared in 51 massive league video games at second, however simply seven at third. That very same ratio held true within the minors, although one scout thought third would nonetheless make extra sense than second.
“His center infield vary might be restricted as he will get older,” the scout stated. “It wasn’t the most effective final yr, plus he has nook infield energy. I like him there.”
He is a match for lots of contending groups
His skill and willingness to alter positions opens up loads of prospects. Massive-market groups have checked in with Adames’ camp regardless of many having mainstays at brief. Some potential suits (in no specific order) embody:
New York Mets: If Pete Alonso indicators elsewhere, the Mets may pair him on the left aspect of the infield with Francisco Lindor, whereas transferring Mark Vientos to first base.
Houston Astros: Houston may use him as a alternative for Alex Bregman if the longtime Astro leaves through free company.
Los Angeles Dodgers: They’ve a possible opening at shortstop. Except Mookie Betts strikes again to that place, L.A. would not have an on a regular basis man.
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Atlanta Braves: After main all groups in fWAR at shortstop in Swanson’s final yr there, the Braves dropped to twenty seventh in 2024. Adames could be an instantaneous chief on the staff.
New York Yankees: They may play him at third base, transferring Jazz Chisolm Jr. to second to exchange departing free agent Gleyber Torres.
Philadelphia Phillies: In the event that they commerce Alec Bohm for pitching, the Phillies may signal Adames to play third base subsequent to Turner.
San Francisco Giants: The Giants may transfer Tyler Fitzgerald to second base, the place he performed 90 video games within the minors, to open up shortstop for the veteran Adames.
Milwaukee Brewers: His most up-to-date staff has solely signed one participant ever (Christian Yelich) for a bundle price greater than $100 million.
The Boston Purple Sox and Washington Nationals may additionally use Adames’ providers, as Boston is in search of right-handed hitting and the Nationals are merely seeking to get higher, making it a sturdy marketplace for a participant who completed tenth in NL MVP voting this season. In line with sources accustomed to the state of affairs, Adames is in search of a long-term deal price $150 million to $200 million. His 4.8 WAR this previous season is in step with Correa’s from his stroll yr of 2022, however under the opposite shortstops in that memorable class.
“He is labored laborious to get right into a place the place he is thought of with these guys,” one other NL government stated of Adames. “Is he Trea Turner? No, however he might be the face of a franchise identical to he turned in Milwaukee alongside Yelich.
“He’ll receives a commission.”
