BREAKING: Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants Agree to 7-Year, $182M Deal

The San Francisco Giants have made a major strike, signing shortstop Willy Adames to a record-breaking 7-year, $182 million contract. This bold move positions the Giants for a potential resurgence in Major League Baseball, with Adames bringing power, youth, and energy to the team.
Explore the implications of this significant signing as we break down Adames' impressive offensive stats and defensive prowess (despite an oddly down defensive 2024 campaign). Discover how this acquisition impacts the SF Giants' payroll and future roster moves, with insights into Adames' power fit at Oracle Park. Key figures like Matt Chapman and Corbin Burnes are also discussed, providing a comprehensive look at the Giants' evolving roster.
Don't miss this engaging analysis of the Giants' strategic moves and what they mean for the team's future. Tune in for exclusive insights and expert commentary.
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The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick-a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score-breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.
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[@MitchKoul]

Corbin Burnes next week at the winter meetings.

[@ldo1308]

Maybe Soto too. Buster Posey is keeping everything very quiet

[@el_puma_real]

@@ldo1308Soto is out of budget, plus I’m hearing the Mets got a bag waiting for him.

[@grant5354]

and Sasaki too. Then sign Goldschmitt to keep 1b warm for Eldrige and it should be an interesting season!

[@SanFranFan30]

@@grant5354 I'd rather have Carlos Santana than Goldy tbh, he's aging better.

[@grant5354]

@@SanFranFan30 either - a good proven vet presence to bide time for young Eldrige is in order. please don't go with with Wade or Flores again.

[@israeldavis7559]

Let’s GO Ben 🔥🔥🔥 we needed this move!! Burnes next

[@ldo1308]

Burnes and Soto

[@ki2726]

Won’t fix much

[@nickbovi]

@@ki2726 Except the huge hole we have at shortstop since Craw is gone.

[@viffer94]

Good clubhouse glue guy too, Posey living up to his promise to get the right kind of players and not just look at the stat sheets. Still need a starting pitcher though, Eovaldi or Flaherty if you don’t want to give up anymore draft compensation.

[@rafa_v1.0]

One of the things that I hear people always say is so-and-so won’t hit as many home runs at Oracle. I get the stat cast information and all that but then again nobody plays all their games in one ballpark. The Giants never have a lot of home run hitters anyway whether it’s on the road or at home. Teams like the Yankees come to Oracle Soto and Judge hit home runs Ohtani and Harper they hit them here too. I think part of the reason the Giants aren’t hitting a lot of home runs is because they just don’t have consistent home run hitters wherever they play. I’m not gonna say that Adames is going to hit 32 home runs this year but if he hits 26 to 28 home runs it’s more than what the Giants get out of most anyway. Heck they struggle to hit 20. I think this is a solid pick.

[@centralcal]

I'm happy with just 20 lol

[@ldo1308]

Largest contract in franchise history. 'Reducing payroll' speculation was fake news

[@pytube777]

If they did, the fans would stop going to the games.

[@Rory2403]

I suggest you to wait before saying it was fake news, last season they were tax payers, if they don't end up having at least the same payroll that won't be fake news at all

[@Rory2403]

I suggest you to wait until we see how much they end up spending, because last season they went over the tax line so, if they don't spend at least the same amount of money that report would be proven right

[@ki2726]

@@pytube777People will still stop going to games when it becomes clear they’re still easily the 4th best team in the division even if they signed Burnes.

[@deadhardy]

@@ki2726 ok dude, stay home then. No one cares.

[@Redpoppy80]

I am a cynic, and I have to say that this is just a good move. Now Adamas is NOT going to hit 32 HR's at Oracle but he is someone who can be in the middle of the lineup of any team (save for the Dodgers). There wasn't anyone who is coming up in the farm either so if we didn't sign Adamas then SS would just be a problem position for the foreseeable future.

[@bayareachamp28]

We love an emergency pod! Let’s go Adames and Giants!!!

[@EliKorosy]

Being realistic, we're not going to sign anyone except a pitcher. Soto isn't a possibility whatsoever, but maybe Burnes or Fried would be attracted to oracle's pitcher friendly atmosphere

[@RadicalEddie]

I believe the draft pick compensation rule says "highest" and not "round" so IF they sign Burnes as well, then the Giants would lose their third-round pick (because it's now their second-highest pick) and their 7th-round pick (because it's now their fifth-highest)

[@grahamgilbrech9281]

Great move possibly a way to show burnes and soto that we are going to put an effort in on adding better players. Thanks vee are a more of a serious team

[@OrlandoMacedo-m3y]

Great sign ✔️

[@michaelmartinez3500]

It's a great signing for the spanish speaking Giants like Camilo Doval, Randy Rodriguez, Heliot Ramos, Wilmer Flores and Thairo Estrada and all players now that the left side of their IF is sewn up with leaders like Chapman and Adames.

[@jayw5983]

LETS GO HOW BOUT THAT FARHAN

[@richardgardner7439]

I think this was a great signing. Now, they need to hone in on starting pitching. Buster is off to good start.

[@Heybrotruthhurts]

How was it a great signing? He's been averaging around 3.5 war last few seasons. 26M/yr is for a established star who can consistently puts up 5 WAR. I think Adames should've only gotten like 18M/yr at most

[@karsonpayne6789]

@@Heybrotruthhurtsbecause he’s a solid player. What else do you want, we haven’t been able to get anybody else in the last 5 years. Take the all start player that we signed and be happy

[@Heybrotruthhurts]

@@karsonpayne6789 Ya except it's an overpay and he's not even a perenial all star. He's only had 1 season above 4 WAR. Rest is hovering around 3 WAR. Even Ha-Seong Kim is only rumored to get around 15M/yr and he's put up 2 seasons above 4 WAR.

[@Heybrotruthhurts]

@@karsonpayne6789 We coulda gotten Ha-Seong Kim for a lot less and although offensively he's not as good, his elite defense and versality at SS, 2B, and 3B make him even more valuable.

[@jeffrhorer1811]

Great signing! Welcome to the Giants! Yeah!

[@philobeddoe8342]

Sweet! We got another career .240 hitter.....🤘

[@ryaneb1370]

Huge!

[@johncookjr2008]

I like it. Can't stop there though

[@ldo1308]

Exactly. Sign Soto to upgrade RF, Burnes or Fried, maybe a catcher who can hit and play a full season

[@ChaoticKale66]

​@@ldo1308 I like the idea but you gonna help them pay for all that? 😂 Sheesh.

[@Evroyal]

Exactly. Let’s go get more

[@shane06292]

​@ldo1308 Soto is not in the discussion or reality. If they can sign Burnes, then this is a solid off-season.

[@sideshow7792]

Yes Yes Yes !!!

[@zencal4380]

Idc that people think it was an “overpay” at least the giants signed someone

[@grant5354]

Dansby Swanson got a similar contract last year - take note that Swanson hit .246 with 16 homers last year.

[@GregHammer-f6n]

Tyler Fitzgerald at 2nd and, if we sign a 1st baseman until Eldridge is MLB ready, then we are adhering to what Posey and the Giants Administration said they wanted to improve..."Defense and Pitching." We need a Walker, Goldschmidt, Bellinger type AND TWO pitchers! GO GIANTS!

[@grant5354]

Ha Seong Kim may still be available to play 2nd base.

[@seansley]

Around half the price of Correa. Good on SF. Hopefully they still pick up Kim

[@grant5354]

That's still a possibility - he'd play 2nd.

[@michaelmartinez3500]

How can Adames' contract be half the price of a Correa contract that didn't happen? That's not framed correctly. Giants didn't sign Correa due to back issues, and Crawford was still on the team making it awkward. Even so, Zaidi was about to make a big profit but gave it away not knowing how to keep it or when to cash in by not thinking it through.

[@seansley]

@@michaelmartinez3500 The contract nearly happened - clearly shows what Giants were willing to offer a SS, and in the end they paid about half for it, for probably more production and playing time

[@michaelmartinez3500]

@@seansley Giants franchise is a business, and business looks at actual not forecasted budget. Correa may have been a forecasted expense, so "nearly happened" doesn't matter. Maybe the highly inflated 2022 contract dollars of 6.5% y/y in '22 may have.

[@rynocrs09]

can they afford Walker to play 1B?

[@Rory2403]

They could but considering Walker should get at least two or three years it would probably be too much of a commitment in a spot where they might have their best prospect ready in a year, a guy like Goldschmidt on a one year deal plus team or mutual option might make more sense, especially considering signing Walker would also cost them more draft picks and international pool money, it's just not worth it i think

[@douglove2412]

Buster Hug!

[@user-dr2ym5jr7l]

Don't see this guy as a game changer, still miles away from Dodgers and Padres, but it's a start at least

[@Giants4Life]

Can’t look at every single move we make and say “we aren’t the dodgers”…don’t forget, they were still winning the division when we won World Series…

[@michaelmartinez3500]

Additional cost for CBT payor, Giants, signing Burnes who rejected QO, is losing their 2nd & 5th highest selections in '26 Draft, as well as $1M from int'l bonus pool for upcoming signing period, and Giants will forfeit 3rd & 6th highest picks as well already having signed Adames. CBA's exorbitant cost isn't worth it when Giants can go after Sasaki before Dodgers or Padres. Zaidi's legacy wrecked Giants-Dodger rivalry into Dodgers-Padres.

[@benicia21]

Barry Zito, 2007, age 29, 7 years for $126M. this is a bargain by comparison

[@tonypassaretti]

Will Adames lead to a World Series championship like Zito did?

[@MichaelTaylor-iz6yp]

Comparing salaries that are 17 years apart 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ My goodness lol. Look up the word inflation….

[@benicia21]

@ Zito’s deal equivalent would be way more today, right? I get it but I also talk in absolutes, in this case absolute dollars, because any type of extrapolation is subjective, but sure a 2 to 3% per year inflation to be assumed is cool. plus league revenue growth. lots of factors. Z was the biggest comparable contract I could remember off the top of my head

[@lettimmysmoke55]

I like Walker Bueller, he’s a second tier pitcher so they say, I like him, he’s always been a good pitcher and it would be putting it to the Dodgers at the same time

[@johnnybarstow8950]

Will the SFGIANTS still go after kim to play 2nd base!!!

[@richardthompson7135]

Not odd Ben. His weight was the reason for more power and worse defense!!

[@richardthompson7135]

I like his runs driven in!! Nice RBI totals!!

[@jesusoftheapes]

As a Brewers fan I can say we will miss you greatly Willy but for the Giants you got a player who if you do not accept that he will chase pitches that he should never chase A LOT you will learn to love Willy . Adames is STREAKY and is frustrating as hell to be a fan of and his defense is BAD . What I saw in 2024 was a player playing for a contract and fighting back the reality his abilities are slipping . The best years of Adames have past but even so as a Giant you will get a 20 homer per year player and he will win you no less than 10 games because he is clutch to his core and comes up big when he is needed in regular season play. As for playoffs you might as well put someone else on the roster because he simply does not show up for the playoffs EVER ! Willy is a Regular season star who has no greatness in him beyond that last game. In the playoffs he shrinks like a prune . It sounds like I am in hate of Willy Adames and to some extent I am a guy who is happy to see him leave. Willy has been maddening for years in to levels few who have not had him on roster can understand. HOWEVER I am NOT saying he is a bad signing. $182 million is a bit CRAZY for Willy Adames but that is baseball 2024 . Adames is NOT one of the best Shortstops in the game. He is a AVERAGE player with the ability to hit offspeed Yard. He is really bad against breaking balls though he hits most of his homers off them. Figure that out. However his defense was TERRIBLE last season and it cost us a playoff series . You got a guy who will make you mad ! I promise you that but if you can get past his shortcomings you have the nicest player in the league who will mentor young players like a coach and who will make your entire team better. While he misses on many at bats when he is hot he is as dangerous as ANY player with a bat in his hand. His hot streaks are short lived but come around about every 3 weeks. He is a LEADER and he will lead your team in a way that it has been lacking for a decade. Willy will bring you 10 more wins than without him and that ain't BS . The Giants are more broke than ever before because of Willy Adames but they are also much better and will be more competitive for a bit because of him. However do not believe he is your answer to all your problems . He is not going to carry your team through without help. A strong supporting cast is how to maximize Willy and get the most out of this investment . Which is the cruxed. Did you just spend so much money you can no longer afford to put that cast around Willy to get that output? Only time will tell but I believe Willy Adames by himself moves the needle for the Giants about 0 . You will be both angry and happy about this signing . Willy is great at making you love him though so enjoy this ! We have Cooper Pratt in the land of the Crew who will make Brewers fans feel pretty good about him leaving. Joey Ortiz finding his bat again like he had up to the all star break and playing the defense we saw in 2024 could bring us all the faith that losing Willy won't end this Crew. However we know we are not as good in 2025 as we were in 2024 because we lost him to the Giants. I say bring on baseball . Football is no good anymore.

[@ldo1308]

Sign Soto to upgrade RF, Burnes or Fried, maybe a catcher who can hit and play a full season and LFG GIANTS!!!

[@GregHammer-f6n]

Soto does not improve RF. He's a defensive liability. Doesn't follow "Pitching and Defense" strategy AT ALL.

[@gregcabig3449]

Great job G men & of course Buster. Where’s all the “pro” Giants beat writers bloggers podcaster aka don’t know what the F there talking about when it came to all those “reducing payroll” articles 😂

[@henrywallacesghost5883]

.500 record...Lets Go!!😂

[@comala27]

There goes his career.

[@nelskrogh3238]

But he is a Giant now so can he stay off of the IR?

[@marcdoherty6039]

Bro...where us Mr. Peabody?

[@gamefreaks101]

Noice

[@michaelalbanese5294]

I thought this was wrong when i saw it on tik tok

[@Blowhi]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👃👃👃

[@r.rivera2754]

7 years is stupid.. 4 years would have been OK.

[@michaelleosamuel4725]

Waste of money...

[@ki2726]

Giants are spending all that money to continue to be the 4th best team in their own division.

This contract after 3-4 years will be albatross.

[@ki2726]

After 2-3 years. Signing a 30yr old SS is not good business.

[@grant5354]

The contract after 3-4 years will not be viewed poorly with the way contracts go up each year.

[@ki2726]

@@grant5354 yes it will be in three years a 33yr old SS will be making 26M annually with four years left on his deal. Not great.

[@michaelmartinez3500]

Nah, it's only 7 years $182M, which is about $26M annually. Adames isn't in the top 5 shortstop pay like Seager, Correa, Lindor, Turner and Betts. In perspective, mlb's top 5 SS contracts total $1.53B USD, which is higher than the GDP of four Caribbean countries: Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & Grenadines, Dominica.

[@boomshakalaka8655]

Way over paid he hits .217 year before…

[@bronsonsandvik8806]

Average isn’t everything

[@grant5354]

he has a high strikeout ration..something like 25%, so it's a risk. He did his .285 several years ago..followed by big dips, then this past year at around .250. He's likely going to perform at the plate similar to Chapman. Combined, they should produce around 60 home runs which is high respectable.

[@derekconstantino7759]

Congratulations on securing another 4th place NL west finish! 🥳 happy for yall

[@el_puma_real]

Hate, hate, hate, hate....

[@mm4forever]

Giants fans celebrating being mid👍. Still 10 players away from even sniffing the dbacks, padres, or dodgers. Shoudve tanked for 3 years like normal organizations and rebuilt instead of the yearly mid-bandaid bs

[@JohnC_90]

NL WEST still LAD SD AZ SF COL