Brewers Reportedly Shopping Shortstop Willy Adames, Should the Dodgers Pursue Him?
This offseason, the Dodgers were linked in trade rumors to two prominent Milwaukee Brewers players: pitcher Corbin Burnes and shortstop Willy Adames. For a while, it seemed the Brewers would hold onto both players heading into the season.
That changed when they traded Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles.
In return for Burnes, they received young shortstop Joey Ortiz from Baltimore. The trade itself, along with Ortiz, signaled that perhaps Milwaukee would listen to offers for their current shortstop Willy Adames.
In a recent report, Bob Nightengale of USA Today states that the Brewers indeed are shopping Adames.
“The Milwaukee Brewers are letting teams know that shortstop Willy Adames is available now that they have defensive whiz Joey Ortiz from the Orioles. They could also trade Adames at the deadline or simply let him walk as a free agent next winter.”
Bob Nightengale – USA Today
When Gavin Lux tore his ACL during spring training in 2023, people quickly connected the Dodgers with Adames as a replacement. Adames offers a unique combination of power and defensive prowess as a shortstop. Last year, he hit the fifth most home runs (24) at the position and graded out in the 99th percentile in “outs above average.”
As a hitter, Adames provides much more power whereas Lux has better bat-to-ball skills. In 2022, Lux had a .276 batting average and Adames has hit .228 over the past two years.
Defensively, Adames grades out as one of the best shortstops in baseball. With Lux, the jury is still out because he has only played 59 games at shortstop — all of which were back in 2021. However, when Lux won Minor League Player of the Year in 2019, he primarily played his natural position at shortstop.
Lux has more question marks surrounding him as a player. He’s two years younger (26) than Adames (28) and has played half as much time at the major league level. In a star-studded lineup like the Dodgers, he can take a little longer to find his footing again.
The Dodgers seem prepared to hand the position over to Lux as indicated by general manager Brandon Gomes. If he lives up to his prospect pedigree, then he can lock down shortstop for years to come.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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I don’t believe that the Dodgers would or should give up on Lux. When healthy, he has proven to be a solid addition to the team. And, Adames will be a free agent in 2025. Lux may have a very big upside. Also, what a great number nine hitter he would be in the lineup. Lux followed by the Dodger’s “murderers row”. Adames might hit twenty more home runs than lux, but what about the other 600 at bats. Also Lux, unlike the Dodger’s third baseman, will not be a defensive liability. I don’t expect a gold glove but he will be solid. I’m a Lux fan — give him a chance.
Exactly my sentiments. The 26 year old Lux, under control for 3 more years, has star potential at low cost, why trade him out for a guy who may be at best 1 WAR better, and looking for 150-200M contract next year?
I agree. Lux needs to be given an opportunity. Adames is a swing and miss guy too many of them on the roster with Muncy, Taylor and Barnes.
Ditto
Brewer fan here. Adames is a fan favorite and absolutely loves the game. Yalltwould love him and I can confidently say he will reject the qualifying offer to net you a sandwich pick in the offseason. He’ll have a very good contract year for your title push.
We would probably accept somthtlike River Ryan and Wrobleeski if I am being non partisan to the best of my ability here.
Give Lux a chance. It would be better to acquire the Brewers’ closer, Devin Williams, if the Brewers are selling off their good players who are heading out the door, but the Dodgers need to look outside of the organization only for 2 players over the next few years: (1) Sasaki, when he is available; and (2) Soto after the 2024 season. Other than those two, they can keep what they have in the organization now for a while.
with Rojas, and Lux we do not need Adames!!!!!!