Fansided

Inside the Clubhouse: 3 contract extension candidates

By Robert Murray

Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres bats in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres bats in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Braves, Brewers, Willy Adames
Willy Adames #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after hitting a double during the game against the New York Mets at American Family Field on September 20, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

Willy Adames, Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers have three players — Willy Adames, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff — who are all due for contract extensions in the next couple years. And signing Adames before he becomes a free agent should be a top priority for general manager Matt Arnold.

Just look at the recent free-agent shortstop contracts:

  • Trea Turner: 11 years, $300 million.
  • Carlos Correa: 6 years, $200 million.
  • Xander Bogaerts: 11 years, $280 million.
  • Corey Seager: 10 years, $325 million.
  • Dansby Swanson: 7 years, $177 million.
  • Marcus Semien: 7 years, $175 million.
  • Trevor Story: 6 years, $140 million.
  • Javier Baez: 6 years, $140 million.

Now look at Adames production compared to all shortstops:

  • In the last three full seasons (2019, 2021 and 2022), Adames is one of six shortstops (Turner, Seager, Francisco Lindor, Correa and Bogaerts) with 3+ fWAR.
  • From 2020-2022, Adames is one of three shortstops (Turner, Bogaerts) with a 110+ OPS+.

If Adames becomes a free agent, he’s expected to command a contract worth north of Swanson’s contract with the Chicago Cubs. Getting Adames signed now would not only ensure that he stays with Milwaukee long-term, but it would prevent the small-market Brewers from being outbid by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, among many other potential suitors.