The Los Angeles Dodgers started the year with Mookie Betts playing shortstop. However, since he moved back to right field, the position needs an upgrade in offensive production.
When predicting where the top free agents would land, FanSided's Zach Pressnell predicted that Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames would sign with the Dodgers.
"My prediction is that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the ones that will land Adames this offseason," wrote Pressnell.
Adames had a career year in Milwaukee, likely punishing him out of their price range. Adames had a career-best 32 home runs, 112 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. He plays a premium position, and the Brewers have three players who are shortstops by trade on the roster ready to take his spot.
"He's bound to get paid this offseason," wrote Pressnell. "The Brewers have the opportunity to pay him, but they have also had the opportunity to extend him, and they haven't done so. Teams like the Padres, Mets, Yankees, and Blue Jays all have shortstops, so this one comes down to the Red Sox and Dodgers, in my mind."
Spotrac predicts Adames to sign a six-year, $152 million deal this winter.
Adames came to the Brewers in a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. He has been a key player for the Brewers over the years and a leader on the team. However, it will be his first time hitting free agency. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio told reporters that the Brewers will try to sign Adames, but other teams have deeper pockets.
"I think the free-agent contract is going to be very valuable for him and quite high," Attanasio told reporters. "We'll do what we can to stretch, but others have bigger pocketbooks and, we'll see what happens."
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