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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff WriterDec 2, 2024, 07:30 AM ET
- Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.
When Willy Adames plays, his teams win. That, plus a dream walk year, has made him a highly sought-after free agent, one who’s preparing to cash in after years of flying under the radar in smaller markets, first with the Tampa Bay Rays and then with the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Everywhere he’s been, they’ve won,” fellow shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “He’s a gamer.”
In the winter of 2022, Swanson was part of a blockbuster free agent shortstop class that also included Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner. But since Adames broke into the big leagues in 2018, none of those multiple-time All-Stars — nor any other primary shortstop in MLB — has a higher team winning percentage in games they’ve played in than Adames’ teams do when he’s on the field (.586), according to ESPN Research.
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Adames is just a single player in a team game, but based on conversations with those who have played with him, coached him or simply been around him, he has that “it” factor. He’s a clubhouse glue guy coming off the best season of his seven-year career while helping the Brewers dominate in the National League Central. Before being traded there from Tampa Bay in 2021, he made the postseason with the Rays twice, including a World Series appearance in 2020.
“Willy is a connector, that’s No. 1,” his former manager, Craig Counsell, said. “No. 2, he has an infectious personality. Those two points are related. They draw people to him. Players, fans, coaching staffs. There aren’t many players that have it.”
Here’s what makes Adames such a big draw this offseason — and how he might fit several top teams as they look to bolster their infields this winter.
He had a career year at the right time
If you believe in clutch, Adames was your guy in 2024. It starts with his multi-run home runs. The 29-year old hit 14 long balls with either two men on base or the bases loaded this season, five more than any other player in 2024 and the most since Jimmie Foxx in 1938. Thirteen of them were three-run home runs — tying Ken Griffey Jr. for the most ever.
“Is it repeatable?” one rival NL executive asked. “Chances are it’s not. But he’s reached a level where you want him at the plate in a big moment.”
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It’s not just the home runs that stand out. His 28 RBIs in the eighth inning or later this year were fifth most in baseball and the most for a Brewer since Jeromy Burnitz had 36 in 1998. Adames also batted about 35 points higher in game situations deemed late/close compared to earlier in the contest.
“He has the ability to lower the temperatures in stressful situations,” one AL scout said.
Said another: “That’s a good sign for a guy that might play in a big market, especially coming from a smaller one.”
This past season, Adames set career highs in homers (32), RBIs (112) and stolen bases (21) while finishing fifth in fWAR among shortstops. He also struck out a career high 173 times.
“We’ll live with the K’s,” said a scout from a team interested in him this offseason.
Overall, Adames has the most home runs and RBIs by a shortstop since 2021. Swanson, whose brother-in-law Jace Peterson played with Adames in Milwaukee, watched with admiration as Adames’ career took off.
“When guys like that get rolling, the confidence plus the mentality adds up to a monster year,” Peterson said. “RBIs always stack up. We devalue that. Some guys are just good at it. With people on-base, he seems to be always at his best. It’s been fun to watch.”
He can fill a hole at short — but could also be open to a position change
By most accounts, both metrics and scouting, Adames is a middle-of-the-pack defensive shortstop — he finished last in defensive runs saved in 2024, according to Sports Info Solutions, but that wasjust one year removed from finishing eighth in the same category. Some believe he’d be an even better third baseman, especially as he ages.
“Strong arm, good range is how I see him at third,” one executive said. “In fact, he might be better suited there.”
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Adames is open to a position change, but only if all other factors fit his desires, according to sources close to the situation. If the team, city and contract work — but there’s an incumbent at shortstop — Adames could move over to third or even to second base. He’s appeared in 51 big league games at second, but just seven at third. That same ratio held true in the minors, though one scout thought third would still make more sense than second.
“His middle infield range could be limited as he gets older,” the scout said. “It wasn’t the best last year, plus he has corner infield power. I like him there.”
He’s a fit for a lot of contending teams
His ability and willingness to change positions opens up a lot of possibilities. Big-market teams have checked in with Adames’ camp despite many having mainstays at short. Some potential fits (in no particular order) include:
New York Mets: If Pete Alonso signs elsewhere, the Mets could pair him on the left side of the infield with Francisco Lindor, while moving Mark Vientos to first base.
Houston Astros: Houston could use him as a replacement for Alex Bregman if the longtime Astro leaves via free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Theyhave a potential opening at shortstop. Unless Mookie Betts moves back to that position, L.A. doesn’t have an everyday guy.
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Atlanta Braves: After leading all teams in fWAR at shortstop in Swanson’s last year there, the Braves dropped to 27th in 2024. Adames would be an instant leader on the team.
New York Yankees: They could play him at third base, moving Jazz Chisolm Jr. to second to replace departing free agent Gleyber Torres.
Philadelphia Phillies: If they trade Alec Bohm for pitching, the Phillies could sign Adames to play third base next to Turner.
San Francisco Giants: The Giants could move Tyler Fitzgerald to second base, where he played 90 games in the minors, to open up shortstop for the veteran Adames.
Milwaukee Brewers: His most recent team has only signed one player ever (Christian Yelich) for a package worth more than $100 million.
The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals could also use Adames’ services, as Boston is looking for right-handed hitting and the Nationals are simply looking to get better, making it a robust market for a player who finished 10th in NL MVP voting this season. According to sources familiar with the situation, Adames is looking for a long-term deal worth $150 million to $200 million. His 4.8 WAR this past season is in line with Correa’s from his walk year of 2022, but below the other shortstops in that memorable class.
“He’s worked hard to get into a position where he’s considered with those guys,” another NL executive said of Adames. “Is he Trea Turner? No, but he can be the face of a franchise just like he became in Milwaukee alongside Yelich.
“He’s going to get paid.”
