The Los Angeles Dodgers showcased a relentless offense on their way to winning the 2024 World Series. Manager Dave Roberts’ lineup is anchored by Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
Could shortstop Willy Adames be part of the club’s title defense in 2025? Adames put together a career year in 2024 ahead of reaching free agency.
He hit .251/.331/.452 while setting career-high marks in home runs (32), doubles (33), RBI (112), runs scored (93) and steals (21) for the Milwaukee Brewers.
It was his fourth straight year with at least 3.0 WAR and the fifth time he’s played in 140-plus games since 2019, according to Baseball-Reference.
While the 29-year-old is open to switching positions for the right situation, he shouldn’t have a problem remaining at shortstop for the foreseeable future.
The Dodgers and San Francisco Giants appear to be the most aggressive teams in need of a shortstop.
With a potential showdown for Adames between these National League West rivals, there have been predictions being made for both sides. Deadspin’s David Brown thinks the Dodgers will be the Adames sweepstakes winner, signing him to a six-year, $155 million deal.
This falls in line with Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, who ranked Los Angeles ahead of San Francisco as the shortstop’s best potential landing spot.
If this happens and the Dodgers bring Adames to Hollywood, it’ll continue a recent trend of the Giants losing out to their rival for coveted free agents.
San Francisco pursued Ohtani and Yamamoto last winter before they signed with the Dodgers and helped them win a title. President of baseball operations Buster Posey is likely hoping history doesn’t repeat itself this offseason.