The San Francisco Giants are entering a new era with Buster Posey taking over baseball operations. Could free agent shortstop Willy Adames be a key part of the Giants’ offseason overhaul?
Adames is among MLB’s top available players in free agency. He’s also the top shortstop available with multiple teams looking to fill that position. San Francisco is joined by at least the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves as teams potentially trying to upgrade that spot on the diamond. Combine that with his willingness to change positions for the right opportunity and there will be many teams making a meaningful run at the 29-year-old.
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It helps that he just completed one of the best offensive years of his career. Adames hit .251/.331/.462 while setting new career-high marks for home runs (32), doubles (33), RBI (112), runs scored (93) and steals (21) in 688 plate appearances. The 2024 season was the fifth time he surpassed the 20-homer plateau since debuting in 2018.
The Giants have been linked to Adames since last winter, when there was a possibility of the Milwaukee Brewers trading him. Posey also specifically mentioned San Francisco will be pursuing a shortstop this winter. PGH Baseball Now’s Danny Demilio shared predictions for baseball’s top 50 free agents and tabbed the Giants as Adames’ landing spot.
That’s backed by the majority opinion of MLB.com reporters and analysts, who also think Adames is headed for the Bay. The shortstop’s overall compensation will ultimately depend on how serious the bidding gets between interested teams. A guarantee of at least $150 million seems likely, though. CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson is predicting the right-handed slugger will sign a seven-year, $185 million deal.
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