For the last six months, the Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly had their eyes set on Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames. Adames was seen as a potential trade piece for Los Angeles, although the Brewers never seemed to consider the idea.
Now Adames is a free agent and the Dodgers have their shot at him. What's stopping them?
Well, Los Angeles recently inked Tommy Edman to a massive contract extension while also reportedly moving Mookie Betts back to the infield. These are two signs pointing to the concession in the Adames free agency sweepstakes.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter still expects Adames to leave Milwaukee for the National League West. But Reuter predicts that it will be the Dodgers' biggest rivals, the San Francisco Giants, that sign the star infielder to a six-year, $150 million deal.
"The top shortstop on the market this winter and one of the best all-around shortstops in baseball the past several seasons, Willy Adames is a lock to become the ninth active shortstop playing on a $100 million deal," Reuter wrote. "The ugly early returns on the matching six-year, $140 million contracts that Javier Báez and Trevor Story signed prior to the 2022 season could give teams reason for pause, but it won't stop someone from paying up to add a middle-of-the-order run producer and quality defender at a premium position who has logged four straight 3-WAR seasons."
The Giants are looking to turn the page after bringing franchise legend Buster Posey back to the Bay as the Giants' president of baseball operations. One thing Posey seems determined to improve is the shortstop play in San Francisco.
Acquiring Adames would be stealing a target from the Dodgers and bringing him to the Giants. It's a win on two fronts for San Francisco. If the Brewers infielder is willing to sign for $150 million, the Giants need to make the deal happen as soon as possible.
