Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames has been a key player since joining the team in 2021 and has emerged as one of baseball’s best offensive shortstops.

Now as he enters free agency, speculation is swirling about where he could go next season.

Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets are reportedly interested, both teams are in clear need of a player of Adames’ caliber. The Dodgers are expected to be “in the mix,” according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

As Passan points out, “The 29-year-old is coming off a 32-home run season with the Milwaukee Brewers and was the second-leading hitter among shortstops over the last six seasons, trailing only (Francisco Lindor) even though it makes every sense for the San Francisco Giants. However, Adames’ desire to play third base has him tied to the Mets and (New York Yankees) and (Los Angeles Dodgers) will also be in the mix.”

It was reported last week that the Dodgers and Mets had contract offers for Adames, but Passan closed it down.

“While reports on currently offered contracts are inaccurate, Adames needs to make money,” Passan wrote.

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Adames’ strength on the field has received a lot of attention, especially after his strong season in 2024. In addition to hitting 32 home runs, he also put up a solid .255/.331/.462 line and added 21 stolen bases in 161 games.

His versatility in the field could also be an asset to teams considering him for multiple infield roles, making him an intriguing choice for clubs like the Dodgers and Mets who might want to use him in shortstop or third base roles.

While Adames expressed interest in re-signing with the Brewers following the Wild Card Series loss, Brewers manager Pat Murphy stated that financial constraints may prevent the team from keeping him.

Murphy recently said Andrew Wagner of Forbes “You’re probably seeing the numbers he’s looking for, and I don’t think we’re going to find that right now,” he said, adding, “That’s not prudent for our group.” With that in mind, Murphy is exploring in-house alternatives, including the possibility of moving Platinum Glove winner Brice Turang from second base to shortstop.

Adames received an offer from Milwaukee that would allow him to receive draft compensation from the Brewers if he signed with another team. Given his track record, strength on the field and positional flexibility, Adames is poised to be one of the most sought-after infielders on the market this summer.

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