Giants Predicted to Sign Power-Hitting Shortstop to Huge $140 Million Deal
2024 with high expectations. They’ve underperformed on the field and just finished up an unsatisfying trade deadline. Looking ahead to next winter, could shortstop Willy Adames head to the Bay once he reaches free agency?
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer shared 10 “way-too-early” free-agent predictions for this upcoming offseason. One of those predictions has Adames signing with the Giants for six years and $140 million.
“Trevor Story and Javier Báez were likewise capable two-way shortstops fresh off their age-28 seasons when they inked six-year, $140 million deals after the 2021 campaign,” he said. “As such, there’s your model for what Adames could be looking for this winter. If so, the typically thrifty Brewers figure to be out. But even then, his market could include big spenders with needs at shortstop, such as the Dodgers, Atlanta [Braves] and San Francisco Giants.”
The shortstop position is a bit of an unknown heading into the future for San Francisco. Tyler Fitzgerald has come out of nowhere to give manager Bob Melvin incredible production. He’s slashing .301/.363/.602 with nine homers, 19 RBI and 25 runs scored in just 135 plate appearances. Can the Giants count on the 26-year-old being a real solution for that spot on the diamond? It’s possible, but his Statcast metrics aren’t painting the same kind of hopeful picture.
Bringing Adames to the Bay would give the Giants proven power at shortstop. He’s on the verge of securing his fifth season of 20-plus homers. cJavier Báezhas accomplished this feat each season since 2021, which includes a career-high 31 homers in 2022.
