MLBTR is looking at trades for Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes and Alex Bregman in the three spots for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers. We’ll continue that with a look at the potential market for one of the top free agent midfielders: Willy Adams.
The longtime Brewers shortstop is among the most powerful bats in the game at his position. Adames hit 32 home runs in 2024, surpassing his previous mark of 31 home runs, which he set in 2022. In the last four seasons, he has been against him. Corey Seager for the MLB lead in home runs by shortstops (112). He tends to strike out more than some teams would like, but he has reduced his strikeout rate in four straight seasons now, playing in a quarter of his plate appearances this past year. That’s still low, but not surprisingly north of the league average, which sits at 22.6% in 2024.
The Brewers bought Adames low early in the 2021 season while he was struggling with the Rays, sending unauthorized relievers to Tampa Bay: JP Feyereisen again Drew Rasmussen. Both sides won in the end. Adames became an All-Star shortstop, and both pitchers became important parts of the Tampa Bay staff — Rasmussen in particular. He pitched four straight seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, most of which came out of the rotation.
Adames hit .244/.323/.457 over parts of four seasons in Milwaukee. That line is drawn down by a pedestrian 2023 season, but Adames has been at least 9% better at the plate in four of the last five years, with a wRC+ rating (and at least 19% better in the last three. five). He’s often featured as a linebacker, though his defensive ability was unexpectedly low last year — largely due to an uncharacteristically erratic July in which he committed eight turnovers in just three weeks.
Teams will likely still view Adames as a player with solid defensive tools, and he’s willing to move to another position — third base or second base — if the right opportunity presents itself. Adames made the unwise decision to turn down a reasonable offer from Milwaukee. He’s certainly looked as good as his fellow shortstops Trevor’s story ($140MM), Javier Baez ($140MM) and Dansby Swanson ($177MM) all received major free agent deals entering their age-29 seasons. Adames, whose friendly personality and reputation as a clubhouse leader only enhances his appeal to clubs, arguably has as much or more earning potential than any of those clubs.
Let’s take a look at what groups can be involved.
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