The San Francisco Giants have signed free-agent shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract. The deal reshapes the left side of their infield and signals the team’s resolve to remain aggressive as they seek to reestablish their relevance in the National League West.
Adames earned 4.8 fWAR last season, finishing fourth in the majors with 112 RBIs, set career highs in home runs (32) and stolen bases (21), and led the Milwaukee Brewers to the NL Central title. The Giants have committed a third of a billion dollars to establish a solid offensive and defensive presence on the left side of their infield.
Adames was a respected leader in Milwaukee, praised for his durability and ability to produce in the clutch. He represents an upgrade with the glove over the Giants’ internal options at the position.
The deal reflects on Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey’s priorities, who identified acquiring a shortstop as the club’s top priority. Posey will lean on his same attributes and impulses while seeking to close the gap between his team and the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Signing Adames comes with costs, including losing their third- and sixth-round draft picks. However, Posey is willing to take risks to get the best player, as he demonstrated during his playing career. “I know we’ll be very diligent in our decision-making,” Posey said. “But something I’ve tried to inject with the group is for us not to be hamstrung from that potential fear of failure.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5977121/2024/12/07/sf-giants-willy-adames-signing-buster-posey