The very best out there free agent shortstop is Willy Adames however he might additionally broaden his market by enjoying elsewhere. Per Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic, Adames needs to remain at quick however can be keen to maneuver to different positions for the correct supply from a aggressive membership. On the Baseball Tonight podcast, Jorge Castillo of ESPN says the Mets have thought-about signing Adames and transferring him to 3rd whereas others have additionally thought-about second base (39:05 mark of this hyperlink at Apple Podcasts hyperlink).
Adames most likely doesn’t must make the shift primarily based on his talents, although he’s coming off a little bit of a down 12 months when it comes to his glovework. He was credited with 10 fielding errors in 2024, greater than the seven he had within the earlier two seasons mixed. Defensive Runs Saved gave him a dismal grade of -16 for the 12 months whereas Outs Above Common merely had him at par. Nevertheless, DRS gave him a constructive grade in every of the earlier 5 seasons whereas Adames had an enormous +16 grade from OAA in 2023 and +10 the 12 months prior.
Golf equipment might view that extra as an outlier season, versus Adames instantly falling off a cliff defensively on the age of 28. Nonetheless, there’s logic to him being open to a place change. Any free agent is helped by having extra suitors, as a extra fervent bidding conflict can drive up costs, versus a stagnant market that sees the participant linger in free company. Adames has no third base expertise within the large leagues and solely a small quantity at second, however most shortstops are capable of pivot elsewhere on the diamond with out a lot challenge. He has a .248/.322/.444 profession batting line and hit .251/.331/.462 for a 119 wRC+ in 2024, offense that might play at any place.
There are many golf equipment that have already got shortstops however might maybe use assist at second or third, with the Mets being certainly one of them. They’ve top-of-the-line shortstops within the league in Francisco Lindor, who’s below contract by 2031 and simply wrapped up a powerful season which may see him end second to Shohei Ohtani in Nationwide League Most Invaluable Participant voting.
However second and third base are a bit extra open. Jeff McNeil is arguably the most suitable choice for the keystone however his efficiency has wobbled in recent times and he’s additionally able to enjoying different spots. At third, Mark Vientos simply had a breakout season on the plate however with poor protection and it’s been urged the membership might look to maneuver him to first base as a alternative without cost agent Pete Alonso.
The Mets might take that strategy with an current third baseman like Alex Bregman, as he’s a greater hitter than Adames and already established on the place. However Adames is a few years youthful and will safe a lesser contract simply primarily based on his observe document. MLBTR lately projected Bregman for $182MM over seven years and Adames for $160MM over six seasons in our annual Prime 50 Free Brokers put up.
For Adames, having a membership just like the Mets on the desk can solely assist. They’re one of many prime spending golf equipment within the league however there can be no level in them getting concerned if Adames was firmly dedicated to staying at quick, so it’s wise for him to precise openness to transferring. Golf equipment just like the Yankees, Mariners, Blue Jays, Pink Sox and Royals is also categorized as having better wants at infield positions apart from shortstop, so getting them to the desk as properly might additional broaden his market.
One of many extra simple suits can be the Giants, with president of baseball operations Buster Posey frankly admitting yesterday that the membership is looking out for shortstops. Nevertheless, Adames has obtained a qualifying supply from the Brewers that he’s positive to reject, thus tying him to the related penalties.
Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic means that Posey may attempt to keep away from signing gamers that rejected qualifying affords so early in his tenure. The Giants simply had a hamstrung draft just a few months in the past, as they gave up their second- and third-round picks to signal Blake Snell and Matt Chapman final offseason, each of whom had rejected qualifying affords. The Giants went on to pay the aggressive stability tax in 2024, that means that signing any QO’d gamers this time round would end in forfeiting their second- and fifth-best picks of the upcoming draft in addition to $1MM of worldwide bonus house.
The Giants are one of the wise on-paper suits for Adames as a membership with a powerful document of spending and a transparent want at shortstop. In the event that they had been to pivot to the commerce market or signing a participant with out a qualifying supply like Ha-Seong Kim, that might solely additional the significance of Adames staying open to different positions.
As for a return to Milwaukee, that by no means appeared particularly probably for the reason that Brewers nearly by no means give out large contracts just like the one Adames will certainly require. MLBTR’s Contract Tracker exhibits that the Christian Yelich extension is the one time the membership has surpassed $105MM on any deal. As if precedent wasn’t sufficient, proprietor Mark Attanasio principally confirmed it lately. “He’s going to get an infinite free-agent contract and I’m very pleased for him and his household, and we’ll give it our greatest shot,” Attanasio mentioned of Adames. “However there’s lots deeper pockets on the market. That’s simply the fact.”
Adames lately mirrored on these feedback, per one other column from Sammon and Woo. He seemingly left the door open for a hometown low cost, although maybe solely barely. “I’m keen to remain right here for much less cash, let’s say, however I simply wish to be honest for what I deserve in my profession and no matter I’ve achieved,” Adames mentioned. “We simply have to attend and see the place we’re at. You by no means know what’s going to occur and also you by no means know who’s going to be keen to make that dedication with me for a very long time.”
