Earlier this offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers lost shortstop Willy Adames to free agency. The now-former fan-favorite in Milwaukee signed a seven-year $182 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. And while his departure was expected following his sensational 2024 season, it was nonetheless a bitter disappointment.
After all, a small market team like the Brewers cannot so easily replace a bat that hit .251/.332/.462 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. However, that is the situation they find themselves in, and are hoping improvements by players they already have will be enough.
But they also need to identify who will take Adames’ spot on defense, something that manager Pat Murphy says he is not close to doing.
Milwaukee Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Is Not Sure Who Will Start at Shortstop in 2025
According to Adam McCalvy, who covers the Brewers for mlb.com, Murphy is taking his time and exploring all the options on his Spring Training roster before making his final decision on who the Opening Day starting shortstop will be.
“It’s kind of ongoing,” Murphy said. “I know it’s hard for you guys to understand, but it’s kind of like the concept of a creative thought: It’s got to emerge. You can’t put a deadline on it.”
Of course, the two main candidates to take over shortstop are Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz. The former was the NL Gold Glove winner at second base and the Platinum Glove winner as the league’s best overall defensive player. Ortiz, who played third base last year, had a Gold Glove caliber season at the hot corner but came up through the Baltimore Orioles system as a shortstop.
Per McCalvy, both players will go wherever Murphy wants them:
“It doesn’t matter,” Turang said. “I don’t look too much into it. Wherever they put me, even if it’s in the outfield or first base or third or wherever, I’m going to play.”
Said Ortiz: “If there’s an opportunity to play there [at shortstop], then I want to be ready for it. If I play third, I’ll be ready for it. Second, I’ll be ready for it. [The preference is] wherever gets me in the lineup. I look at it as whatever the team needs.”
Based on where they have played during Spring Training, it would appear Murphy does have at least somewhat of an idea where each will play. Ortiz has played six games at shortstop while Turang has played two.
That being said, the performances of Oliver Dunn, Caleb Durbin, and Vinny Capra also need to be taken into consideration. Capra, in particular, has belted four home runs already this spring and his out of minor league options.
Dunn is a third baseman and plays great defense, though he has yet to prove he can hit consistently at the Major League level. Durbin, who can play third or second base, has not appeared in the Majors yet.
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