The Milwaukee Brewers knew they probably wouldn’t be able to re-sign the shortstop Willy Adames when he hit free agency. Because of this, many fans and analysts believed he would be traded before the 2024 season, similar to how Corbin Burnes was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. However, seeing the value in retaining a player of Adames’ character and leadership on such a newborn team, the Brewers decided to keep him.
Of course, Adames had one of the best seasons after a brief break in the club’s history in his final year with the team. He hit .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI and 21 stolen bases and set an MLB record for most three-run home runs in a season.
As expected, Milwaukee was unable to compete with larger markets when it hit the open market. He signed a seven-year contract with the club worth $182 million San Francisco Giants earlier in the off season.
Former Milwaukee Brewers reliever Willy Adames is projected to make his first All-Star team with the San Francisco Giants
In a recent article published by Bleacher ReportMLB analyst Joel Reuter called Adames the most likely MLB player to make his first All-Star team in 2025 after years of being overlooked by miniature breweries:
“The San Francisco Giants signed Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract in early December, adding a much-needed star to a roster that has been missing the true face of the franchise since Buster Posey’s retirement.
“The 29-year-old posted four straight 3-WAR seasons, becoming one of the best two-way relievers in baseball during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers.
“He set career highs in hits (153), doubles (33), home runs (32), RBI (112) and steals (21) in 2024, and even if his offensive stats take a step back, he’s still long overdue for an All-Star nod.”
Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio and former prospect Lucas Erceg also made the list of 16 first-time All-Star prospects.
Now that he’s playing in a bigger market and has signed the richest contract in Giants franchise history, he will almost certainly attract more attention from fan constituencies than when he played in Milwaukee.
There’s an argument to be made that he’s earned the right to be an All-Star for at least two of the last three seasons, so let’s hope he gets the recognition he deserves in 2025.
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