Even before the 2024 season concluded, it seemed clear that the Milwaukee Brewers had come to terms with the likely departure of star shortstop Willy Adames. As a small-market team, the Brewers have long been aware of the challenge of keeping big-name players, and with Adames emerging as one of the top two-way infielders in baseball over the past few years, it felt inevitable he would follow the familiar path of other stars leaving for larger contracts in free agency. With deep-pocketed teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves showing interest, the writing appeared to be on the wall.
But even in the face of logic, hope remains a powerful emotion. Adames has been a key leader in the Brewers’ clubhouse, mentoring young talent like Jackson Chourio, and he’s expressed a willingness to take a pay cut to return to Milwaukee—as long as his next contract is deemed “fair.”
However, what Adames considers fair and what the market demands may be two very different things. If his latest projected contract value is anywhere near accurate, the Brewers’ hopes of keeping him in a Milwaukee uniform will likely be dashed.
Adames’ Contract Projections Skyrocket Beyond Brewers’ Budget
Early contract estimates for Adames ranged between $160-180 million over six or seven years. But as the offseason progresses, those figures are only rising. The demand for a quality shortstop like Adames is driving up his market value, as there simply aren’t other free-agent options available at his level. Teams in need of a premium player on the left side of the infield are finding themselves facing slim pickings—Ha-Seong Kim, a solid player but not a star, is likely the next best option, after an injury-plagued 2024 season.
For teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, in need of a third baseman, Adames is one of the few viable options left. His combination of elite defense and power hitting make him a rare commodity, especially when compared to other free-agent infielders like J.D. Davis or Yoan Moncada.
As a result, Adames’ projected contract is now skyrocketing. The latest estimates peg his value at seven years and $211 million, or even eight years and $231 million. That kind of money would be well beyond the Brewers’ financial reach.
For an All-Star shortstop entering his prime years at age 29, that kind of payday is becoming the new normal. With high-spending teams like the Dodgers, Braves, and San Francisco Giants expected to drive up the bidding, the gap between what the Brewers can afford and what another team is willing to offer will likely be too wide to bridge. Despite the sentimental ties Adames may have to Milwaukee, the financial realities make it increasingly unlikely that he’ll return.
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