largely thanks to their shortstop, Willy Adames. The 29-year-old set personal bests with 32 home runs, 112 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases, putting him in a strong position to capitalize as a free agent this offseason.
Adames, a shortstop who excels both offensively and defensively while still being under 30, became an attractive target for numerous teams. Additionally, his reported openness to playing third base further boosted his appeal in the free-agent market.
Adames was a logical fit for National League contenders such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. However, he has instead signed a huge seven-year, $182 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN. This deal marks the largest in the franchise’s history, surpassing the contract of the team’s new president of baseball operations, Buster Posey.
The San Francisco Giants have secured Willy Adames, edging out National League contenders in the process
The timing of this move is somewhat surprising, as Adames was often considered a potential fallback option for teams pursuing Juan Soto. Instead, he signed before Soto, possibly prompting Soto’s suitors to raise their offers for the outfielder. This acquisition undeniably strengthens the Giants. While rookie Tyler Fitzgerald provided solid offensive contributions late in the season, he struggled defensively. Adames, despite not winning a Gold Glove and having a down defensive year in 2024, ranked in the 99th percentile for Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2023, according to Baseball Savant. His overall defensive track record is strong, and his addition to the left side of the infield, alongside Matt Chapman, should solidify their defense.
There’s no denying that this move improves the Giants, but it also carries some risk. Adames is coming off one of his best seasons, but still posted a sub-.800 OPS. He strikes out a lot, regressed defensively, and moving from American Family Field to Oracle Park will likely hurt his offensive production to some extent.
That said, the Giants have been seeking a star for years, and while Adames might not fully fit that role, he is undeniably an above-average player. The terms of the deal are in line with expectations, and securing him away from teams like the Dodgers and Braves—both of which needed shortstop upgrades and were frequently linked to Adames—adds to the appeal. While this isn’t a steal contract-wise, and it doesn’t make them NL West favorites, there’s more to like than dislike about this deal.
Willy Adames contract grade: B
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