Astros Showing Interest in Willy Adames

Updated Post – Nov. 18

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports the Astros have shown interest in free agent infielder Willy Adames. Much like if the Mets signed Adames, the long-time shortstop would play third base with the Astros.

Adames, 29, set career-highs with 33 doubles, 32 home runs, 112 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in a career-high 161 games for the Brewers this season.

Updated Post – Nov. 8

Sources tell MMO that the Mets have shown early interest in free agent Willy Adames. The long-time shortstop has demonstrated a willingness to switch positions for the right team/offer and obviously, he would have to do that with the Mets. He has 10 games worth of second base experience in the major leagues and 10 games at third base in the minor leagues.

Mets president of baseball ops David Stearns is quite familiar with Adames from time together in Milwaukee. In 2021, when Stearns was the top decision-maker for the Brewers, he traded for Adames.

Adames did receive the qualifying offer from the Brewers, though he will certainly decline with his sights on a long-term deal. MLB Trade Rumors predicts Adames will get a six-year, $160 million deal. The penalty for a competitive balance tax payor signing a player who received the QO is losing its second and fifth highest selections in the following year’s Draft, as well as $1 million from its international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period

Mike Rodriguez, reporting on Twitter, was the first person to connect the Mets to Adames.

Original Post – Nov. 6

One storyline for the Mets this offseason is who they acquire to round out their infield, but what position said player covers is still open for debate—outside of shortstop, of course. Different scenarios could play out, such as Pete Alonso returning to the Mets and they look for a second baseman. Maybe Alonso will go to another team, and the Mets will sign Christian Walker to play first. Or maybe Alonso signs elsewhere, and the Mets acquire a third baseman, shifting Mark Vientos to first.

The last scenario is where Willy Adames enters the conversation, though it would require a position change for him to do so. Adames, 29, has been almost exclusively a shortstop (minus 10 games at second in his rookie season). Still, multiple reports indicate the first-time free agent is willing to move to second or third base in the right situation.

Adames set career-highs with 33 doubles, 32 home runs, 112 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in a career-high 161 games for the Brewers this season. Mets baseball ops leader David Stearns was the Brewers’ top decision-maker in 2021 when Milwaukee acquired Adames from the Tampa Bay Rays. Adames does have 10 games of experience at third base from his first season in the minors, likely the position he would play if the Mets sign him and Alonso doesn’t return. Of course, if Alonso does return, the Mets could also use Adames at second base, with Viento sticking at third.

Outside of Alonso and Adames and the big-time catch of the offseason in Juan Soto, the market for hitting isn’t particularly strong. Stearns has already shown through trades and free agency that he’s not shy about acquiring players from his days in Milwaukee.

MLB Trade Rumors predicts Adames will get a six-year, $160 million deal, with all four writers believing he will ultimately sign with the San Francisco Giants.

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