When the Milwaukee Brewers made their decision NO to replace intermediary Willy Adames after the 2023 season, it was widely assumed that 2024 would be his last season with the Crew. What a last season it was!
Adames hit .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI and 21 stolen bases, becoming the leader of the Brewers offense. His tendency to hit three late-inning home runs meant that Milwaukee was never too far from the game, regardless of the score.
His career year only increased his expected asking price, and any hopes he would take a hometown discount to stay with the Brewers disappeared.
And now the expectation that he would sign elsewhere for more money than Milwaukee was willing to give him had become a reality.
The Milwaukee Brewers are losing Willy Adames to the San Francisco Giants
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According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Adames has agreed to a seven-year, $182 million contract with the team San Francisco Giants. The deal includes a signing bonus of $22 million:
BREAKING: Shortstop Willy Adames and the San Francisco Giants have reached an agreement on a seven-year, $182 million contract, the largest deal in franchise history, sources tell ESPN. Adames, 29, hit a career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBI in 2024. The deal is pending physical therapy.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2024
As Passan notes, Adames is receiving the largest contract in the history of the Giants franchise, which dates back to 1883. This is a larger contract than previous Dutch League MVP Buster Posey received from the Giants ($167 million).
Additionally, Passan notes in a later post that Adames’ deal is the third-largest deal ever for a Dominican-born player. The only two to sign larger contracts during their MLB careers were Albert Pujols and Robinson Cano.
How will Milwaukee breweries replace Willy Adames?
Brewers manager Pat Murphy, who won the 2024 NL Manager of the Year award last month, has already revealed his plan for the shortstop position. He told reporters that Joey Ortiz, who spent last season at third base, will move to the shortstop position he played when he was in the Baltimore Orioles organization.
Ortiz, of course, came to Milwaukee last offseason when the Brewers traded Corbin Burnes to Baltimore.
But the bigger question is how they will replace Adames’ offensive impact. Ortiz continues to develop as a player and has already proven to be a solid Major League player. Last season, however, he hit .239/.329/.398 with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs, well below Adames’ achievement.
Star outfielder Jackson Chourio will continue to make progress after becoming the youngest player in MLB history to post a 20-20 season, meaning he will be able to make up some of the missing production himself. The return of Christian Yelich will also be helpful.
But the biggest task will be finding someone, whether already on the roster or not, to take over as the Brewers’ emotional leader. Adames was a spark of joy, cheered on all of his teammates and was generally adored by every player, coach and fan.
Losing the stick hurts. Losing this person hurts more.
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