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

Adames had his best campaign for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. Adames posted a slash line of .251/.331/.462 with a career-high in doubles (33), hits (153), home runs (32) , points (92). , runs produced (112), walks (74) and stolen bases (21).

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

Adames is currently one of the best power threats at shortstop in the game. Since entering the league in 2018, only Lindor (188 home runs) has more home runs than Adames (150) over that span among shortstops. And he has also proven his ability to be a premium producer, ranking fourth in the RBI rankings during the same period.

While advanced defensive metrics suggest the seven-year veteran has taken a step back (-16 DRS), over the previous two seasons Adames has ranked as one of the best defenders in the sport (17 DRS combined in ‘ 22 and ’23). A return to this level in 2025 is therefore possible. Adames’ reach, arm and athleticism could make him a solid defender at second or third base.

If there’s a hole in Adames’ game, it’s that he’s not getting to goals at a high rate. Over his seven seasons, Adames has an on-base percentage of .322. But as he’s gotten older and harnessed more power, Adames has been more selective, setting career highs in walks each of the last two seasons with 71 in ’23 and 74 in ’24.

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, managers love his leadership style and ability to bring people together.

Jackson Chourio will remain a star in the big leagues for a long time. The man responsible for helping one of the game’s top prospects was Adames. Chourio told Yahoo Sports last spring that he sat right next to Adames in the clubhouse learning from him and that as Chourio had an outstanding rookie campaign, that wisdom seemed to have paid off.

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

As for the market for Adames, he has the advantage of being the only big-name shortstop available this winter. Unlike three years ago when there was an influx of high-end shortstops hitting free agency with Trevor Story, Dansby Swanson, Javier Báez and Carlos Correa all on the market. Adames will have the top of the market to himself, with the second-best option at the position being Ha-Seong Kim.

For years, the Dodgers have been interested in Adames and even with Mookie Betts returns to the fieldAdames would make perfect sense in Los Angeles. Other teams that could take a chance on Adames include the Giants and Braves.

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

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

When you include the intangibles that make him a great candidate off the field, Adames could end up being the best value in this year’s free agent class.