One of the top free agents on the market this offseason is former Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames.
Adames is just 29 years old, and is entering free agency coming off a career-year in 2024 when he hit 32 home runs, drove in 112 RBIs, and had a wRC+ of 119.
Adames is by far the best shortstop on the free agent market, and it’s been reported he’s open to moving to third base in the right situation. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are known to have interest in him, but this week, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi added a couple more interested teams into the mix.
Morosi reported the Houston Astros are interested in Adames if they don’t extend third baseman Alex Bregman. He also mentioned the Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox as teams being involved in talks for Adames.
Adames has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the last four seasons, and even received down-ballot MVP votes in 2021. He’s an above-average power-hitter at a premier defensive position, and was a great defender in 2022 and 2023 before regressing a bit in 2024.
While the Dodgers don’t necessarily need someone like Adames, as they already have an overflowing infield with Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Miguel Rojas, and potentially Tommy Edman, he would be a massive upgrade in the lineup, and would help cement the Dodgers as the best lineup in the league.
The Athletic projects Adames to get a six-year, $150 million contract this offseason. However, that price could go up if teams end up being in a bidding war for the star shortstop.