Bleacher Report has puzzling Red Sox free agency prediction given infield situation

A recent prediction by Bleacher Report lists the Boston Red Sox as a potential destination for Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames.

The impending free agent has spent his last three seasons in Milwaukee, and the 28-year-old righty might seek a change in location and some extra cash. If the Brewers can’t afford to keep Adames on their payroll, the Sox should think twice before signing him.

Adames has been steady but not stellar this season. He is slashing .253/.339/.455 with 24 home runs and 88 RBI over 132 games. Though serviceable, this is nowhere close to his performance in 2021 when he hit .285/.366/.521 with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs in just 99 games with the Brewers. His WAR has steadily declined in the last two years, too, from 4.3 to 2.5 this year. Despite his applauded defensive skills, his production drop-off in the previous three years and aggressiveness at the plate should make the Sox wary of Adames.

Adding Adames to the Sox roster is also problematic with shortstop Trevor Story under contract with the Red Sox through 2028. Story signed a six-year, $140 million contract in 2022 when he reached free agency. The two shortstops have eerily similar stats, which warrant careful consideration by Craig Breslow and the Sox organization.

The Red Sox have too many middle infielders to sign impending free agent Willy Adames

Injuries have prevented Story from playing 150 games in his first three years in Boston. For 137 total games in 2022 and 2023, he batted .227/.287/.398, driving 19 home runs and 80 RBIs. These numbers are eerily similar to Adames’ statistics this year. Except Story has an excuse for his injuries. 

Along with Story, the Red Sox have quite a few middle infielders to find homes for next year. Ceddanne Rafaela, Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Nick Sogard, and potentially Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell could all need spots on the big-league roster next season. Signing Adames would create even more unnecessary traffic in Boston's middle infield.

Like they say, the evil you know is better than the evil you don’t. ESPN writer Kiley McDaniel predicts Adames will seek a contract worth $100-200 million in the offseason. This contract would cost the same, if not more, than what Story is owed on the remainder of his contract unless he opts out. Trading Story, a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner, for Adames, who has exhibited similar hitting performance recently and has no accolades besides winning NL Player of the Week twice, makes no sense.

The Sox should give Story a chance to show he can still hit like he did in Colorado. Since early April, he's been on the 60-day IL with a fractured shoulder. He may return at the end of this year, but worst-case scenario he will be back in 2025.

If Story struggles to stay healthy next year, he may exercise his opt-out in 2026, or the Sox can trade him. Either way, Boston’s best move is to see how Story does when he returns and wait to re-evaluate their shortstop issue until at least halfway through 2025. 

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