When the New York Mets signed Francisco Lindor to a 10-year, $341 million contract prior to the 2022 season, they figured to be set at shortstop for years.
Lindor's 2024 season did nothing to dissuade the Mets from that position. He slashed .273/.344/.500 in 152 games, while amassing a near-career-best 7.0 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference.
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Yet the Mets might be in the market for the offseason's top free agent shortstop, according to multiple reports.
Willy Adames is a free agent after hitting 32 home runs and driving in 112 runs for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024.
Adames joined the Brewers in a 2021 trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Since then he's slashed .244/.323/.457 while playing 548 games — all at shortstop.
Adames, 29, has never played third base in a major league career that began in 2018. Other than 10 games at second base as a rookie, he's spent his entire career at shortstop.
According to Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic, Adames wants to stay at shortstop but would be willing to move to other positions for the right offer. Meanwhile, Jorge Castillo of ESPN reports the Mets have considered signing Adames and moving him to third base, while other teams have considered moving him to second base.
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In October, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Mets could shift him to third base, and move Mark Vientos to first base if Pete Alonso leaves in free agency. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns acquired Adames when he was in charge in Milwaukee.
Heyman reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Dodgers — who have attempted to acquire Adames in the past — might not see shortstop as an urgent need this offseason after Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas traded off at the position en route to a World Series title in October. Both Edman and Rojas are returning in 2025.
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As noted by Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors, Adames had a down year in the field in 2024 with 10 fielding errors, minus-16 Defensive Runs Saved, and a mediocre Outs Above Average at shortstop. A position change might be in order for Adames even if a team change is not.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projects Adames to land a seven-year contract worth $189 million this offseason.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
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