The San Francisco Giants have made a major move by signing shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract, marking the largest deal in the franchise’s history. After failing to land high-profile free agents like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in recent winters, the Giants opted for a different approach this time, bypassing the Juan Soto sweepstakes. The agreement with Adames, who is coming off a stellar season with the Milwaukee Brewers, gives the Giants a significant upgrade at shortstop.
Adames, 29, is known for his power, having hit 32 home runs last season, making it his second 30-homer campaign in the past three years. He previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, where he was the starting shortstop in the 2020 World Series before being traded to Milwaukee. Over time, Adames has developed into one of the most consistent sources of power from the middle infield position, a much-needed asset for the Giants, who have struggled with offensive consistency.
However, Adames is not without flaws. He is known for his high strikeout rate, having fanned 173 times last season alone. His strikeout rate has consistently stayed above 25%, and his performance has shown significant variability from year to year. His adjusted OPS has ranged from 121 to 94 between 2021 and 2024, highlighting the inconsistency in his production. These factors may present challenges as he enters his 30s, but the Giants are banking on his power and ability to provide a solid offensive presence.
The addition of Adames comes at a critical juncture for the Giants, who have experienced a period of mediocrity following their 107-win season in 2021. Over the past three years, the team has hovered around an 80-win pace, leading to the firing of baseball operations chief Farhan Zaidi. In his place, future Hall of Famer Buster Posey has taken the reins. The franchise is looking for a fresh direction, and Adames’ signing is part of an effort to inject more life into the offense.
With Adames now leading the infield, the Giants hope to improve their offensive output. His signing also provides relief to younger players like Tyler Fitzgerald, who hit 15 home runs last season and is expected to transition to second base. While questions about Adames’ long-term power production remain, his immediate impact on the Giants’ lineup is undeniable, offering a much-needed boost to a team that has been searching for a star player to lead them back to contention.
