The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly made an offer to free agent shortstop Willy Adames, per MLB insider Mike Rodriguez.
Rodriguez reports Adames “has a proposal from the Dodgers.” He also says Adames has a seven-year, $160 million deal on the table from the New York Mets.
The Mets, however, want Adames to play third base, as they have Francisco Lindor at shortstop.
According to my sources, the #Mets have made an offer of over $160 million for a period of 7 years to Willy Adames. Their intention is for him to play third base; however, Adames is not convinced, as he prefers to continue in the shortstop position. He has not made a decision… pic.twitter.com/HB4JbuUHnH
— Mike Rodriguez (@mikedeportes) November 7, 2024
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported this week that Adames “wants to stay at shortstop,” but would be open to moving to a different position “if he gets a strong offer from a team in position to win.”
The Mets, who lost in six games in the National League Championship Series to the Dodgers, seem to check those boxes.
However, Adames is in no rush to make a decision on his future.
Adames is one of the best bats available on the free agent market.
The 29-year-old is coming off a 2024 season in which he slashed .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs and 112 runs batted in, both career-highs.
Adames has hit at least 24 home runs in each of the last four seasons, and has been linked to the Dodgers numerous times as a potential trade target.
While the Dodgers never traded for Adames, they now have the opportunity to sign him in free agency.
As of now, the Dodgers’ shortstop options for next season include NLCS MVP Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas, Mookie Betts, and Gavin Lux.
However, the team likely wants to use Edman all over the field, and Rojas is unlikely to be an every day player.
The Dodgers could elect to put Betts back at shortstop, or try again with Lux.
However, adding Adames would be the best option, with Betts sliding over to second base.
It remains to be seen if the Dodgers open their checkbooks for Adames while they still have plenty of their own free agents they’re trying to sign.
But if they have an offer on the table, they’re clearly interested in adding the star shortstop as a splash addition this offseason.
