Willy Adames has spent the last three and a half seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he's emerged as a high-end shortstop who's good with both the bat and the glove. As he hits free agency this offseason, he's apparently open to switching positions, which most shortstops would never consider.
Adames' flexibility could make him attractive to a wider array of clubs, including the Boston Red Sox, who wouldn't have otherwise been a reasonable suitor. After Ceddanne Rafaela's extension at the beginning of last season, the Red Sox have him as an option at short for the foreseeable future. But given Trevor Story's long injury history, second base could be wide open, and Rafael Devers' defensive woes might force him into the DH role, which would open up third.
Adames would be a welcome addition for any ballclub. Although his defense wasn't as good last year as it was in 2022 and 2023, he had his best offensive season as a Brewer. He posted 32 homers, 33 doubles, 112 RBI and a .794 OPS. There's also no reason to believe his defense won't bounce back, as he's still just 29 and has plenty of good years left in the tank.
Red Sox may be more willing to sign Willy Adames after news that he'd be willing to move off shortstop
30 HR. Career-high 101 RBI.
— MLB (@MLB) September 7, 2024
What a year for Willy Adames. pic.twitter.com/VlUS7Xxcel
But don't start selling the jerseys just yet. Because he excelled in his walk year, Adames is projected to earn a big payday, with some estimates putting a potential contract at six years, $152 million. If recent history means anything, that steep price tag probably takes the Red Sox out of the running, especially if he isn't a natural fit in the lineup. It's possible that we see a different approach from the front office, but still unlikely.
Furthermore, several other clubs have been rumored to be interested in Adames, including the Mets and the Giants, and both teams have deep pockets. The Mets, in particular, have shown a willingness to spend whatever it takes to land the guys they want, and if they're in on Adames, the Red Sox likely won't match their potential offer.
While Adames would be a nice add to the Red Sox infield, his fit isn't crystal-clear, and it's unlikely that Boston would be willing to outspend the Mets for his services. So, this particular match probably wasn't made in heaven, although this recent news does make it slightly more likely.