Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames is currently playing in what is considered a contract year. The 28 year old is making just over $12 million during his final season of arbitration and is poised to command a significant package as a free agent. Recently Brewers owner Mark Attanasio revealed that contract extension talks between the two have occurred, but the conclusion of him testing the open market continues to be the likely outcome.
The Milwaukee Brewers and Willy Adames have had contract extension discussions.

Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel indicated that during a round table discussion with owner Mark Attanasio he touched on the value that Willy Adames brings not only on the field but to the culture of the Brewers organization. He noted that a price tag cannot be placed on his leadership, but the two have discussed contract extensions with Milwaukee making ‘plenty of offers’.
“Yes, there were conversations. Willy’s performance got to a point where it would be – we’ll see what happens after the season – but he’s going to command quite a significant package as a free agent. The best thing I can say about that is we had plenty of offers for Willy Adames this off-season. If you put (them) into an analytic model there may have been some merit to build for the future.
“But you just can’t put a price on his leadership, his posting every day. Willy Adames does not want to miss a game. So guess what, now Wiliam Contreras doesn’t want to miss a game. We’ve developed a culture and Willy’s a key.”
-Mark Attanasio
How big of a contract will Willy Adames get as a free agent?

A few years ago several shortstops received massive contract extensions in free agency. Trea Turner received 11 years, $300 million, Xander Bogaerts 11 years, $280 million, and Dansby Swanson seven years, $177 million. David Gasper at Reviewing the Brew projects Adames to be in Swanson like territory and he estimates a contract along the lines of $140MM-$175MM over six years or more. Gasper also notes that Adames will be the top available shortstop this winter and that could drive his price tag up as well.
The Brewers will still get compensated if Willy Adames signs elsewhere and they don’t need to trade him mid-season.

In years past Milwaukee has traded Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes prior to them hitting the open market as a free agent. Those deals have netted them players like Robert Gasser, indirectly William Contreras and Joel Payamps, as well as Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. With the Brewers leading the division and poised for a playoff push they don’t have to trade him this summer and rather they can extend a qualifying offer once the season is complete.
Adames would decline the qualifying offer, but once he signs elsewhere this would net the Brewers draft pick compensation. Due to Milwaukee’s market size and Adames projected to sign for more than $50 million this would net them a 2025 draft pick in the early 30s.
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