The San Francisco Giants decided they weren’t going to be outmaneuvered again this offseason. After years of being a bridesmaid in the free-agent sweepstakes for big names, the Giants locked in shortstop Willy Adames on a massive seven-year, $182 million contract. That’s a franchise record. And let’s not forget — this comes right after they made some moves in the front office, including bringing in franchise legend Buster Posey as their new president of baseball operations.
Adames wasn’t just somebody floating around in free agency. This 29-year-old delivered a monster 2024 season with the Milwaukee Brewers — career highs in home runs (32), RBIs (112), and even swiped 21 bags. A shortstop who can hit for power and hold his own on defense is a rare find. Teams like the Dodgers and Braves were practically drooling over the idea of plugging him into their already-stacked lineups.
Let’s be real, this signing shakes things up. The timing caught everyone off guard, especially with teams that were in hot pursuit of Juan Soto. Adames was supposed to be the backup plan for some of those squads. Instead, the Giants jumped the line and nabbed him early. Now, both Soto and Adames are off the market. The Giants didn’t just improve their roster — they played a little chess and forced other contenders to sweat.
But what does Adames actually bring to San Francisco? First off, their defense just got a serious upgrade. Sure, rookie Tyler Fitzgerald had some pop in his bat, but defensively? Let’s just say there were more holes on the left side of that infield than a block of Swiss cheese.
Willy Adames might not have snagged a Gold Glove yet, and his 2024 defensive metrics took a dip, but don’t let that fool you. The guy ranked in the 99th percentile for Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2023. Pair him with Matt Chapman, and suddenly, you’ve got a defensive wall on the left side of the diamond.
Is there a little bit of risk here? Oh, absolutely. Adames strikes out a lot. Plus, let’s not ignore that he’s leaving the hitter-friendly confines of Milwaukee’s American Family Field for the deep caverns of Oracle Park. That’s going to ding his power numbers a bit, no doubt. And a sub .800 OPS? Not exactly the stuff of MVP chatter.
But listen, the Giants have been desperate for a player of this caliber. Maybe Adames isn’t the superstar they’ve been chasing for years, but he’s undeniably a cut above most. And locking him in means the Giants didn’t just make themselves better — they also kept a valuable piece away from two of their biggest National League rivals. You know Dodgers and Braves fans are shaking their heads right now. That’s gotta feel really nice for the Bay Area faithful.
This isn’t a “we’re title favorites now” kind of move. But it’s a statement. The Giants are tired of being the “almost” team. They’re making moves, taking chances, and building a squad that looks a whole lot more competitive than last year’s version. Willy Adames might not be the crown jewel, but he’s a gem nonetheless. And for the Giants, that’s a win.
