Following several disappointing winters, the San Francisco Giants have succeeded in attracting a free agent eager to accept their generous offer. Shortstop Willy Adames, who previously played for the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Giants have been reported to have struck a deal for seven years at $182 million. This arrangement was initially disclosed by ESPN. […]
Following several disappointing winters, the San Francisco Giants have succeeded in attracting a free agent eager to accept their generous offer.
Shortstop Willy Adames, who previously played for the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Giants have been reported to have struck a deal for seven years at $182 million. This arrangement was initially disclosed by ESPN.
The agreement, pending confirmation from the Giants, marks the largest contract in the history of the franchise and the first significant acquisition under the leadership of the team’s newly appointed president of baseball operations, Buster Posey. Adames, who ranks fifth on Yahoo Sports’ Top 50 free agents, is viewed by many as the second-best offensive player on the market, just behind the superstar Juan Soto.
In the last two offseasons, San Francisco, under former POBO Farhan Zaidi, made robust efforts to land top-tier players. At every opportunity, the Giants were unsuccessful or faced misfortune. Aaron Judge leveraged the Giants before re-signing with the Yankees. Shohei Ohtani contemplated the Giants but ultimately targeted Los Angeles. Additionally, in December 2022, a deal with Carlos Correa unexpectedly fell through after concerning medical findings about the shortstop’s ankle surfaced. He eventually signed with the Minnesota Twins.
However, now, at last, the Giants have an offensive spark they can develop around. Adames, who secured a top-10 finish in NL MVP voting this past season, is a clear match for a team desperately seeking offensive strength. The exuberant 29-year-old has hit 112 home runs since 2022, tying Corey Seager for the most among shortstops in that timeframe. Adames’ 2024 season was particularly impressive, boasting career highs in home runs and RBIs. While he has consistently been a high-strikeout player, he brings a rare power element for a shortstop.
The Giants are eager for any power boost. In 2024, San Francisco’s performance was mediocre at best in most offensive metrics. Ending one game shy of a .500 record, the team was serviceable but painfully unremarkable and far behind the rapid pace set by the Dodgers, Padres, and Diamondbacks in the NL West.
This disappointing finish resulted in Zaidi’s dismissal and the surprising appointment of Posey, a franchise icon and potential Hall of Famer who last played in 2021. Since assuming control, the new leader has expressed a desire to re-establish a winning environment in the Bay Area. Adames, well-liked and regarded throughout baseball for his fantastic clubhouse demeanor, will assist in that endeavor.
Nonetheless, this significant contract comes as a bit of a shock. Various reports earlier in the offseason suggested that the Giants anticipated a payroll decrease heading into 2025. Nevertheless, even with Adames’ annual $26 million, San Francisco remains roughly $26 million below its $206 million expenditure from the previous season.
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For Adames, this agreement is a significant achievement.
Most estimates had his average annual value accurately predicted, but few anticipated a seventh year. The total exceeds the seven-year, $177 million contract that Dansby Swanson and the Cubs signed before the 2023 season, a deal that was often viewed as a possible benchmark. Adames had shown a willingness to transition to other infield roles if necessary, but that won’t be needed at Oracle Park, as star third baseman Matt Chapman has recently signed an extension keeping him in San Francisco through 2030.
Whether Posey and the Giants have more moves planned this winter remains uncertain. The team faces several urgent needs, particularly for a power-hitting corner outfielder and another starting pitcher to replace the departed Blake Snell. As it stands, the Giants still trail behind Los Angeles and San Diego in the NL West rankings.
The Adames contract is a positive step, but Posey and his team should continue to pursue additional improvements.
