Exactly one week ago, former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames signed a massive seven-year $182 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. The deal is currently the largest contract ever signed in Giants history, which dates all the way back to 1883. It is also the third-largest contract ever signed by a Dominican-born player. Albert Pujols and Robinson Cano are the only two who received larger contracts during their playing careers.
Adames’ decision to leave Milwaukee was not an unexpected one. When the Brewers did not trade him before the 2024 season, everyone knew it was his last season. And did he ever make it a memorable one!
Former Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop Willy Adames Left His Mark on the Franchise
As fans recall all too well, Adames was acquired by Milwaukee in a midseason trade during the 2021 campaign. The team was struggling offensively and desperately needed a bat to spark their lineup. When the team traded for Adames, he was hitting .197/.254/.371 with five home runs and 15 RBI with the Tampa Bay Rays.
But he found his stroke once he landed with the Brewers. In 99 games with Milwaukee that year, he hit .285/.366/.521 with 20 home runs and 58 RBI. He was so productive that he even received NL MVP votes.
In 2022, his first full season with the Brewers, Adames broke Robin Yount‘s single season franchise record for home runs by a shortstop. He hit .238/.298/.458 with 31 home runs and 98 RBI. Yount had previously set the record when he hit 29 home runs in 1982.
2023 was a down year for Adames, who hit just .217/.310/.407 with 24 home runs and 80 RBI. But he did not get down on himself and the Brewers certainly believed that he was too valuable to trade. And he rewarded that faith.
Last season, Adames had the best season of his career, hitting .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs (a new franchise record), 112 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. He also became the first shortstop in team history to have a 30-20 season.
And he also made himself very expensive.
Willy Adames Penned a Farewell Post to Milwaukee Brewers Fans
While he was only a member of the Brewers for three and a half seasons, Adames made a major impact on the organization. Milwaukee, the city and the fans, also made a big impact on him. Today, a week after signing with the Giants, Adames posted his farewell message to Brewers fans:
View this post on Instagram
“Wanted to take some time after the last couple of days to breathe and let this all sink in.
“Milwaukee you opened up your heart and soul for me when I felt pretty low after getting traded. You became a place of comfort and allowed me the confidence to shine and be myself. From the moment I stepped on the field I knew the Brewers fans were there and had my back.
“This week marked something special for me, but also closed a chapter of my career I will always remember.
“From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU – #Milwaukee @brewers for giving me the same love and energy I gave you. You will forever be in my heart. Till we see each other again. WillyWaukee OUT.”
While it is unfortunate that Adames will no longer don a Brewers uniform, one can hardly blame him for signing a contract far richer than any Milwaukee could (or would) have offered him.
Hopefully he enjoys a long and successful run with the Giants (except when he faces the Brewers).
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