Willy Adames wasted no time making it clear that he wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants.
When introduced as their new shortstop on Thursday, Adames smiled and placed a hand on manager Bob Melvin’s shoulder, saying, “if he lets me.”
Melvin probably won’t need much persuading, as he’s excited to have stability at shortstop after the position lacked consistency in his first season as manager.
Adames also shared his goals with the Giants’ new President of Baseball Operations, Buster Posey, saying he hopes to win a few championships with the team, just like Posey did.
Adames, surrounded by his family and friends, was formally introduced at Oracle Park after signing a seven-year, $182 million contract. This is the first big move made by Posey since he became president in late September.
“There are no words to describe how I feel right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. “This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, and I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.”
Everyone who has met Adames is eager to see him bring his energy to the team both on and off the field.
“He’s a unique connector of people,” Posey said, quoting manager Craig Counsell’s thoughts on Adames. “That really struck me because I think to win championships you need personalities like Willy’s, who can connect with everybody in the clubhouse, not just the players. I heard from multiple people that Willy treats everybody with respect. He plays with energy and joy, and I know our fans will love watching him play every day.”
Adames’ contract is the biggest the Giants have signed since Posey’s $167 million deal in 2013.
“I didn’t know until it was done. I was like, ‘wow,’” Adames said.
From a distance, Adames admired Derek Jeter’s legacy, which was about more than just baseball.
This is just as important to Adames as playing every game, as he appeared in 161 games for the Brewers last season. He wants to help young players learn “to be a professional” and show them how to lead a team that has missed the playoffs for the past three years.
“For me, being a great human being comes first. I have to thank my parents for raising me the right way, to treat everyone the same, no matter who they are,” Adames said. “I’m really proud of that, to be the same guy every day, to be kind, and give love back because there’s a lot of hate out there, and I don’t like that.”
The Giants believe Adames’ positive attitude can have a big impact on the team. When asked about the shortstop position, Melvin said, “Well, it’s not a problem now.”
Adames brings power at the plate and strong defense to the team. In 2023 with the Brewers, he had his best offensive season, hitting .251 with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs.
“Every team wants a Willy Adames,” Melvin said. “What stood out to me most when I watched him play was that he never seemed to have a bad day. It always looked like every day was opening day for him.
His enthusiasm is contagious, and when your best players are like that, it’s easier for the whole team to adopt that mindset. It’s easier said than done, but that’s what struck me the most—how much he loved playing baseball.”
Adames is close friends with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his own experiences playing for San Francisco.
The moment became real for Adames when he put on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, “I’m a little nervous about this.” But when he put on his cap, he felt at home.
“It looks amazing,” he said.
