Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Bobby Witt Jr. and if you make a list of the best shortstops in baseball after Trea Turner, you can make a strong case that Willy Adames is the fifth-best shortstop in the game. And it’s not crazy to think he could be the second-best free agent on the position player side this winter, behind Juan Soto.

Adames put together his best season for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. Adames batted .251/.331/.462, hitting career highs in doubles (33), hits (153), home runs (32), runs (92). , runs batted in (112), walks (74) and stolen bases (21).

After the Tampa Bay Rays traded him to the Brewers in 2021, Adames transformed himself into a true middle-order bat and dangerous presence for Milwaukee, and that showed in his production.

Adames is one of the best power threats in the game right now. Since entering the league in 2018, only Lindor (188 homers) has more homers than Adames (150) among shortstops. He also proved his ability to be a top-notch producer by ranking fourth at the RBI position in the same span.

Advanced defensive metrics show the seven-year veteran has taken a step back (-16 DRS), while Adames graded out as one of the best defenders in the sport the previous two seasons (17 DRS combined in ’22 and ’23). In other words, a return to this level is possible in 2025. Adames’ range, arm and athleticism could make him a solid defender at second or third base.

If there is a gap in Adames’ game, it is his inability to get to the goal with high speed. Over seven seasons, Adames had a .322 on-base percentage. But as he got older and gained more power, Adames became more selective, setting career highs with 71-of-23 and 74-of-24 over the last two seasons.

Adames’ best asset might be his ability to run a clubhouse. You’ll never hear a bad word about Adames, and whether it’s Kevin Cash, Craig Counsell or Pat Murphy, executives love his leadership style and ability to bring people together.

Jackson Chourio will be a star in the big leagues for a long time. It was Adames who was tasked with helping one of the game’s top prospects. Chourio told Yahoo Sports last spring He said Adames sat right next to him in the clubhouse to learn from him, and that wisdom appeared to have paid off, as Chourio had an outstanding rookie season.

Are the Dodgers, Giants and Braves in the running for Adames?

As for what the market looks like for Adames, he has the advantage of being the only shortstop available this winter. Unlike three years ago, when free agency saw an influx of top-tier defenders like Trevor Story, Dansby Swanson, Javier Báez and Carlos Correa. Adames will hold the top of the market with the second-best option at the Ha-Seong Kim position.

The Dodgers have been interested in Adames for years, even Mookie Betts returns to the fieldAdames would make perfect sense in Los Angeles. Other teams that could compete against Adames include the Giants and Braves.

If Adames changes positions, more potential suitors could open up.

Adames’ deal will likely fall in the middle of the seven-year, $177 million deal Swanson signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2022. The belief in baseball is that Adames’ popularity among teams could push that figure to $200 million.

When you factor in the intangibles that make him a perfect fit off the court, Adames could be the most valuable player in this year’s free agent class.