Posey reveals why Adames became Giants’ top free agency pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
DALLAS– Buster Posey I’ve done a lot of things at the elite level as a player. He was an MVP, a Gold Glove Award winner, and one of the best receivers in the history of the game. He was known for his leadership and toughness, and for more than a decade he was the face of the franchise’s franchise. ‘Oracle Park.
He wasn’t, however, someone who made it particularly easy for kids who might want to dress up as their favorite baseball player for Halloween.
Posey played it straight, keeping her pant legs down and her arms mostly free of bracelets or bright colors. If it was cold, the sleeves were simply black. His catcher’s gear was standard and he didn’t have a shoe locker for his teammates to raid. The emotions only really flowed after a title or a no-hitter.
“I wasn’t a guy who played with flair,” Posey said Tuesday, smiling. “But I understand that it has value.”
On his first day as president of baseball operations, Posey explained that the Giants need to remember they are in the business of creating memories. Before his first day at the Winter Meetings, he agreed terms with shortstop which fits this mold.
The Giants had Willy Adames at the top of their wish list all offseason and locked him up on Saturday, while the rest of the market waited for Juan Soto to make a decision. On Tuesday, Adames passed his medical exam and signed a seven-year, $182 million contract. A few minutes after the announcement, he posted a well produced video on her Instagram page which included a bold message: “ARE YOU READY?”
The Giants signed Adames for his power and ability to provide stability at shortstop. They speak enthusiastically about his leadership and how he connects daily with 25 other teammates. But there is also another element. Adames will return bats and create celebrations in the dugout.
He will join Matt Chapman in making sure the team knows how to enjoy a win, and he could take the lead in preparing players for games. Earlier this week, one of his former minor league teammates spoke enthusiastically about how Adames had a different handshake with each member of his Triple-A team and was the leader of that group despite being one of the youngest hopes.
Add it up and the new Giant has plenty of ways to create memories.
“When you think about a 10-year-old coming to the stadium to see their favorite player, there’s going to be a lot of Adames jerseys, I would dare say, in the stands now,” Posey told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He’s a great player (and) the personality is going to shine through, the drive to win and be a great teammate and understanding that he’s going to fulfill a lifelong dream on stage in front of other people who love the watch play. and compete. It’s going to be fun for all of us to watch.”
The Giants know they’ve been boring at times over the past three seasons, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing more exciting than winning, and Posey is confident that Adames is the one to put the Giants in the race. He mentioned his intensity and drive and said Adames was the type to adhere to a “brave mentality.” In that way, the Giants view him as another version of Chapman, who helped energize the clubhouse on and off the field last year but also showed an ability to show up nine innings every evening, no matter how his body felt.
“We talked about Matt Chapman, a guy who’s going to be on the field and giving it his all,” Posey said. “Willy is another guy (like that). When you have leaders like that, when you have veterans like that, it’s a lot easier for younger players to come into the clubhouse, whether it’s (their ) first, second, third year or maybe they I’m a minor leaguer and they look at these guys like, “That’s the way to do your business.”
“I just think in the long run, these players have an impact that we’ll never really be able to measure. I consider Willy to be one of those guys.”
The Giants are betting big that Adames and Chapman will keep the ship heading in the right direction, committing $333 million to the two infielders over the past four months. Posey called them the best left side in baseball, and he gave Bob Melvin the ability to come to the ballpark every day and know he’ll have two powerful right-handed bats in the heart of his lineup.
When Posey asked Melvin his thoughts on free agency, the manager noted that Adames played in 161 games last season. It’s rare in today’s game, but Adames has always been one to show up when the lights go on. He has played in at least 140 games in the last five full MLB seasons and has played in over 600 games in three straight seasons.
Melvin reviewed Adames’ background and told his new boss that it appears the star shortstop loves playing baseball. When you commit nine figures to a free agent, it certainly helps you feel a little more comfortable, and it became an even easier decision once Adames made it clear he was just as passionate about the idea of joining the Giants.
“He showed interest early on because he believed in the vision of what we’re trying to do here,” Posey said. “And we’re just thrilled that we got the best shortstop on the market.”
