If you make a list of the best shortstops in baseball, after Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Bobby Witt Jr. and Trea Turner, you can make a strong argument that Willy Adames is the fifth best shortstop in the game. And it’s not unreasonable to think he could be the second-best free agent position player available this winter behind Juan Soto.
Adames put together his best season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. Adames had a .251/.331/.462 line with a career high in doubles (33), hits (153), home runs (32), runs (92) . , runs batted in (112), walks (74) and stolen bases (21).
After the Tampa Bay Rays traded him to the Brewers in 2021, Adames became a true middle-of-the-order bat and dangerous presence for Milwaukee and it showed in the production.
Adames is one of the biggest power threats at shortstop in the game right now. Since entering the league in 2018, only Lindor (188 home runs) has more home runs than Adames (150) in that span among shortstops. And he’s also shown his ability to be a premium run producer, ranking fourth in RBI over the same span.
While advanced defensive metrics suggest the seven-year veteran took a step back (-16 DRS), in the previous two seasons, Adames was rated as one of the best defenders in the game (17 DRS combined in ’22 and ’23 ). Therefore, it is possible to return to that level in 2025. Adames’ range, arm and athleticism could make him a solid defender at second or third base.
If there’s a hole in Adames’ game, it’s that he doesn’t get on base at a high rate. Over his seven seasons, Adames has a .322 on-base percentage. But as he’s gotten older and harnessed more power, Adames has been more selective, setting career highs in walks in each of the last two seasons with 71 in ’23 and 74 in ’24.
Adames’ best asset might be the ability to lead a clubhouse. You’ll never hear a bad word about Adames and whether it’s Kevin Cash, Craig Counsell or Pat Murphy, managers love his leadership style and ability to bring people together.
Jackson Chourio is going to be a star in the big leagues for a long time. The man tasked with helping one of the game’s top prospects was Adames. Chourio told Yahoo Sports last spring that he was sitting next to Adames in the clubhouse to learn from him, and as Chourio had an excellent rookie campaign, that wisdom seemed to have paid off.
Are the Dodgers, Giants and Braves running for Adames?
When it comes to what the market looks like for Adames, he has the advantage of being the only top shortstop available this winter. Unlike three years ago when there was an influx of high-end shortstops in free agency with players like Trevor Story, Dansby Swanson, Javier Báez and Carlos Correa all on the market. Adames will have the top of the market to himself and the second best option at the position will be Ha-Seong Kim.
For years, the Dodgers have been interested in Adames and even with Mookie Betts returning to the infield, Adames would make a lot of sense in Los Angeles. Other teams that could pursue Adames include the Giants and Braves.
If Adames changes positions, that could open up even more potential suitors.
Adames’ deal will likely be in the ballpark of Swanson’s seven-year, $177 million deal he signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2022. The belief in baseball is that Adames’ popularity with teams could push that figure to $200 million. .
When you include the intangibles that make him a great fit off the field, Adames could end up being the best value in this year’s free agent class.