Adames to the Red Sox? Arguments for and against signing the hitting shortstop originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
A busy offseason is ahead for the Boston Red Sox. If nothing else, it should be busy if they hope to have a chance to compete in 2025.
While the the organization’s top prospects could help next season, director of baseball Craig Breslow and Co. are still expected to aggressively pursue proven talent to improve the left-handed pitching staff and lineup. Some of these moves could come from trade, but there are several intriguing names on the free agent market.
Two notable players who have already been connected to the Red Sox are Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman and Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames. In a recent column, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic pondered the idea of Boston signing Bregman or Adames, moving third baseman Rafael Devers to first base and trading young first baseman Triston Casas for a rookie pitcher.
Tuesday, a nugget of a piece written by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com fueled additional speculation between Adames and Boston.
“While the idea of moving Casas is appealing to some, the Red Sox still believe he is an elite player and the ripple effects could be too great for a bold move,” Cotillo wrote. “That said, there are people in the organization who highly value Adames and would like to see him in Boston.”
Adames is coming off a tremendous season with the Milwaukee Brewers, but does he make sense as a free agent target for the Red Sox this winter? Let’s weigh the pros and cons of signing him. . .
Why the Red Sox should sign Willy Adames
Right-handed power
In addition to strengthening the pitching staff, the Red Sox should prioritize balancing their lefty-heavyweight lineup. Trevor Story, Connor Wong, Vaughn Grissom, Ceddanne Rafaela and Rob Refsnyder are the only right-handed hitters expected to make next year’s roster. Top prospects Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel each hit left-handed.
Adames will be among the best right-handed hitters in the 2025 free agent class. The 29-year-old set career highs in hits (153), home runs (32) and RBIs (112) this year with Milwaukee . His swing is tailor-made for Fenway Park.
Exceptional defense
Adames has become one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. In 2023, he ranked second among all players at his position in putouts above average (16) and sixth in defensive runs saved (8 ). This year has been a down defensive season for him from an advanced metrics standpoint, but he still brings plenty of value with the glove in addition to his right-handed pop.
More action on the basepaths
Adames has average speed, but he still found a way to reach a career-high 21 stolen bases in 2024. The Red Sox were at their best this season when they wreaked havoc on the base paths with Jarren Duran, David Hamilton and Ceddanne Rafaela sliding bags. at a high rate. Adames joining the party while hitting 25+ home runs would make a major difference for Boston’s offense.
Why the Red Sox shouldn’t sign Willy Adames
Another infielder?
The biggest problem in making sense of a potential Adames deal is finding a spot for him on the Red Sox roster. Say what you want about Trevor Story’s health and abilities at this point in his career, but he’s practically set in stone as the team’s starting shortstop in 2025. Maybe Adames will be able to play second base, where he played in 10 league games in 2025. seven years, but then the team would have to figure out what to do with youngsters Vaughn Grissom and Kristian Campbell. He could take third base if Devers moved to first or DH full-time, but he has never played hot corner in his professional career.
The Red Sox have a surplus of talented infielders, so barring a blockbuster trade or two, Adames isn’t a great fit for the roster.
Fights against lefties
Sure, Adames would technically help balance Boston’s lineup as a right-handed hitter, but he doesn’t actually solve the club’s problems with hitting as a left-handed pitcher.
Adames has only hit four of his 32 home runs this year against lefties. He hit just .191 with a dismal .623 OPS in his 152 at-bats against lefties.
If the Red Sox want to have more success against lefties next season, drafting someone like Teoscar Hernandez (.931 OPS against lefties in 2024), Marcell Ozuna (.904) or any other right-handed hitter with favorable splits would do more meaning.
A high price
Adames is expected to receive a contract worth around $200 million this offseason. With the Brewers likely to extend her a qualifying offer regardless of which team signs her, she’ll also have to cough up a compensatory draft pick.
While the Red Sox shouldn’t hesitate to move on this offseason, it seems like an excessive price to pay for a player who doesn’t meet any direct roster needs. That money could instead be used to renovate the bullpen — arguably Boston’s biggest weakness in 2024 — or to improve the starting pitching staff.
Verdict
Would the Red Sox be better off with Adames on the roster? Absolutely. Should they break the bank to sign him? That’s hard to justify given the current surplus of talent on the field, as well as the state of the bullpen and starting rotation. Adames checks a box as a right-handed hitter, but he still won’t solve the offense’s main problem of hitting a left-handed pitcher.
Barring a trade or two to free up roster spots, Adames just doesn’t fit. The Red Sox should look elsewhere to spend big money this offseason.
