As we enter the offseason Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos will begin to search for avenues where he can improve the roster. One clear spot most people point to is the potential to improve the shortstop position.
2024 starter Orlando Arcia isn't making much money next season so it would be fairly easy to remove him from the everyday role should AA find an upgrade. This afternoon MLB insider Jon Heyman linked the Braves to a name that would be considered an upgrade and a massive boost to the roster.
Braves believed to be possible destination for Willy Adames
The 29 year-old shortstop Willy Adames enjoyed a career year with the Milwaukee Brewers this season. Adames posted a .251/.331/.462 slash line while setting career highs in home runs (32), RBI (112), and stolen bases (21).
Willy Adames, spiritual leader of Brew Crew, has been target of Dodgers, Braves and Giants in past and they’re seen as among possible landing spots. Brewers would love to keep him but understand he’s probably out of price range. LA, with Friedman/Rays link, possible favorite?
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 6, 2024
Adames also posted a 119 wRC+ and 4.8 fWAR via Fangraphs. While the defense would be a slight downgrade from Arcia, it still ranked around league average. Adames finished 2024 with 1 OAA and ranked in the 50th percentile in fielding run value via Baseball Savant.
However, the clear offensive upgrade should be enough to motivate Alex Anthopoulos to see if he can lure Adames to Atlanta. Adames ranked in the 82nd percentile in barrel% and 80th percentile in BB% (a skill the Braves offense desperately needs).
As Heyman mentioned, Adames has been a target for the Braves in the past so there is clearly interest in the skillset he could provide to the infield.
The largest question looming is will Adames be in the Braves comfortable price range? We know that Anthopoulos doesn't like to dish out large contracts that run through a players age 35+ range. Adames is MLB.com's eighth ranked 2025 free agent and the highest ranked shortstop.
It's certainly fair for Adames to seek a $20 million AAV after the season he had with Milwaukee. The Braves front office will spend this offseason, but should they acquire Adames it could limit what they do elsewhere on the roster. Given that Adames is the premier shortstop in a lackluster free agent class, don't expect him to sign super early into the offseason.