Willy Adames is the top-rated shortstop in this free agency class and it’s not particularly close. He’s coming off a very solid year with the Milwaukee Brewers, but many experts project him to be headed elsewhere in free agency.
Adames, 29, slashed .251/.331/.462 with an OPS+ of 118 and 21 stolen bases. The shortstop looked more comfortable in the batter’s box than ever before and he’s set to get paid because of it.
Spotrac projects him to land a six-year, $152.2 million contract this offseason.
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MLB insider Mark Feinsand sees him as the top middle infielder in free agency as well.
“A number of top shortstops have hit free agency in recent years, with Corey Seager, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson all cashing in with big free-agent deals,” Feinsand wrote. “Coming off another strong offensive season — in which he set career highs with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs — Adames is the top shortstop available this winter, and although his defensive metrics haven’t been as strong in 2024, he remains a solid fielder.”
Feinsand finished by noting the Dodgers, Giants and Blue Jays as the top fits for Adames.
Los Angeles has been connected to Adames for the last few months, so this should come as no surprise. The Dodgers seem to be the odds-on favorites to land him.
San Francisco and Toronto are more dark-horse candidates in this sweepstakes.
The Blue Jays seem ready to deal their franchise shortstop Bo Bichette if they can land the right trade package. This would open up the position for Adames if they’re aggressive enough to pay the star infielder.
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