Giants Sign Willy Adames to Historic Contract, Reshaping Infield for teh Future
The Giants agreed to terms with free-agent shortstop Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million contract on Saturday, reshaping the left side of their infield for the remainder of the decade and signaling their resolve to remain aggressive as they seek to reestablish their relevance in the National League West. The agreement with Adames is pending a physical — more than a trifling detail given the medical issues that scuttled Carlos Correa’s $350 million contract following the 2022 season — and its guaranteed money would soar past Posey’s own nine-year, $167 million contract that he signed after winning the NL MVP Award in 2012.
With Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman, who signed a six-year, $150 million extension in September, the Giants have committed a third of a billion dollars to establish a solid offensive and defensive presence on the left side of their infield. Viewed together, those investments are not so different from the megadeals that the Texas Rangers gave to shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus semien after the 2021 season — a $500 million bet that paid off when the Rangers won the first World Series title in franchise history two years later.
Adames, 29, earned 4.8 fWAR last season when he finished fourth in the majors with 112 RBIs, set career highs in home runs (32) and stolen bases (21), and led the Milwaukee brewers to the NL Central title. Likely just as important to Posey and the Giants, Adames was a respected leader in Milwaukee, praised for his durability and his ability to produce in the clutch. He was among the league’s best defenders at shortstop in 2023, and although several of his advanced metrics declined this past season, there’s little doubt that he represents an upgrade with the glove over the Giants’ internal options at the position.
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the Giants’ stunning agreement, which came on the eve of baseball’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, is how it reflects on Posey, who had been something of a cipher in his brief tenure as a first-time baseball executive, filling out front-office positions and adding advisory voices but or else providing few specifics on how aggressive he would be at improving a team that finished 80-82 in 2024 while missing the postseason for the seventh time in eight seasons.
but Posey had been clear on one point: He identified acquiring a shortstop as the club’s top priority. And the Giants just agreed to sign the top shortstop on the free-agent market.
Posey had a talent for cutting through the noise during his career behind the plate, tackling problems head-on, carving a direct path and avoiding the trap of overthinking. If his first major move as the Giants’ chief baseball architect is any indication, he will lean on those same attributes and impulses while seeking to close the sizable gap between his team and the Los Angeles Dodgers, San
But Adames was clearly the best shortstop on the market. And Posey kept it as simple as that.
“Ultimately, it’s a boring answer, but you just want complete baseball players,” Posey said at the GM Meetings in November. “You want guys who can do some of everything.”
Interestingly,Posey’s first major free-agent signing is a fellow CAA client. The Giants recently announced the hiring of Jeff Berry, Posey’s former agent and the former head of CAA’s baseball division, as a special advisor.
The addition of Adames would push tyler Fitzgerald into a competition at second base with Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely and potentially Marco Luciano if the organization’s former top prospect isn’t traded or moved to the outfield.
The biggest question becomes how aggressive the Giants will be to address their second major need: a pitching presence for a rotation that threw the fewest innings in the National League despite the fact that their opening-day ace, Logan Webb, threw the most on an individual basis. Several reports have linked the Giants to former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes, a Bakersfield-area native who competed at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga and would give the Giants one of the best 1-2 punches in the league.
Before last season with the Baltimore Orioles,Burnes had spent his entire major-league career with the Brewers so the addition of Adames might be a selling point in any Giants attempt at a pursuit. Both players are very well known to Zack minasian, the Giants’ newly elevated GM, who had been the scouting director in Milwaukee during his 14 seasons with the organization. Minasian had been one of the strongest voices to champion Burnes when the right-hander showed promise in the minor leagues, advising then-Brewers GM Doug melvin to make the former fourth-round pick practically untouchable in trade discussions.
On a cash basis, the Giants spent $206 million on player salaries last season, exceeded the luxury tax threshold ($237 million) for the first time as 2018 and sustained operating losses that caused some discomfort among members of the ownership group. Their placeholder budget numbers for 2025 had called for a reduction in player payroll, which might still be achieved even if the club can win the bidding for Burnes — a market that is expected to exceed $200 million — as well as Adames.
Adding Adames’ $26 million average annual value would put the Giants’ estimated cash-basis payroll at roughly $170 million. If the Giants seek to trim in other areas, they could trade one or more of their arbitration-eligible players (lamonte Wade Jr. and Camilo Doval among them). Or they could sign one of several second-tier starting pitchers who won’t come cheap — witness Luis Severino’s three-year, $67 million contract with the A’s — but would require a fraction of what it would take to land Burnes, who notably left CAA for the boras Corporation in 2023 and whose potential signing also would cost the Giants their third- and sixth-round draft picks.
Or Posey could do what he demonstrated so often over his playing career: cut through the noise,go after the best player,and convince ownership to spend.
“I know we’ll be very diligent in our decision-making,” Posey said last month. “But something I’ve tried to inject with the group is for us not to be hamstrung from that potential fear of failure. It’s knowing that, ‘Hey, sometimes we’re going to have to risk media members saying this was a bad decision or a bad move.’ But if we feel convicted in it, then you have to be OK with it.”
(Top photo of Adames: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
What does willy Adames’ historic signing mean for the San Francisco Giants’ chances in the upcoming season?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and MLB Expert on the Giants’ Historic Signing of Willy Adames
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to the show! Today we’re diving into a major development in MLB: the San Francisco Giants have signed free-agent shortstop Willy Adames to a historic seven-year, $182 million contract. Joining us is baseball expert and analyst, Casey Thompson.Casey,thanks for being here.
Casey Thompson (CT): Thanks for having me! It’s a thrilling time in baseball,and this signing has definitely made waves.
TNE: It certainly has. Let’s start with the numbers. A seven-year deal worth $182 million is a significant investment. What does this contract signal about the Giants’ future strategy?
CT: This move indicates that the Giants are serious about reestablishing themselves in the National league West. By committing such a hefty sum, they’re signaling a desire to compete at a higher level, especially after a lackluster 80-82 season and missing the postseason for the seventh time in eight years.
TNE: You mentioned the Giants’ need to compete. How does Adames fit into their plans, particularly alongside Matt Chapman, who just signed a six-year extension of his own?
CT: Pairing Adames with Chapman on the left side of the infield creates a formidable duo both offensively and defensively. Their combined investment of over $330 million reflects a strategic push to solidify key positions.It’s reminiscent of the Texas Rangers’ approach when they signed Corey Seager and Marcus semien, which ultimately paid off with a World Series win.
TNE: Adames has had his share of success on the field, with remarkable stats last season.What can fans expect from him in a Giants uniform?
CT: Adames is coming off a career year, with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. He brings not only power but also leadership and defensive prowess. he’s recognized as one of the best defensive shortstops, which is a much-needed upgrade for the Giants.His ability to deliver in clutch situations will be crucial for a team looking to make a postseason push.
TNE: Buster Posey has stepped into the role of the Giants’ chief baseball architect and emphasized acquiring a shortstop as a priority. How does this move reflect on his early decision-making in this new position?
CT: Posey’s move to acquire Adames showcases his decisive approach. During his playing days, he was known for tackling challenges head-on, and now he’s replicating that as an executive. This contract shows that he’s not afraid to invest heavily in talent to meet his team’s needs. With this signing, Posey is clearly setting the tone for his tenure.
TNE: There was some hesitation due to Adames’ pending physical, which has been a crucial point after the Carlos Correa debacle last season. How important is it for franchises to consider a player’s medical history before such large investments?
CT: It’s crucial. A player’s health can be a game-changer, as seen with Correa’s failed contract. The Giants will undoubtedly conduct thorough evaluations to ensure that Adames is fit and can play to the level they’re investing in. This is a risk that teams take, but it must be mitigated by diligent assessment.
TNE: As we discuss this signing right before the Winter Meetings, what do you think will be the broader implications for the Giants and their competition in the NL West?
CT: Signing Adames sets a precedent for the Giants’ ambition in the upcoming seasons.It could encourage other teams to make bold moves as well. The Giants are now positioned to close the gap with teams like the Dodgers and Padres, and it’ll be captivating to see how they build around Adames and Chapman going forward. This isn’t just a transaction; it’s a statement about the Giants’ intent to compete.
TNE: It will certainly be exciting to watch! Any final thoughts on what this means for the future of the Giants and the landscape of the National league?
CT: The Giants are taking a proactive approach to reshape their roster and overall competitiveness. With Posey at the helm,they seem poised for an aggressive offseason. If they can complement Adames and chapman with other key signings, they could very well become a force in the NL West. Time will tell, but the buzz is already palpable among fans and analysts alike.
TNE: Thank you, Casey, for your insights! It’s evident that Willy Adames’ signing is just the beginning of a transformative period for the Giants.We’ll keep a close eye on how this unfolds in the coming months.
CT: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it!
TNE: And that’s a wrap on today’s interview. stay tuned for more updates on MLB and key player movements!