Probably not, though. They’ll be happy to at least get a compensatory draft pick when he signs elsewhere.
Current SS/2B/3B: Bo Bichette, Will Wagner, Ernie Clement
The Blue Jays are the ultimate wild card this offseason. They’re reportedly trying to sign Juan Soto. They’re also presumably trying to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and/or Bo Bichette before they enter their final season of arbitration eligibility. And if they’re not convinced that they can/should re-up with Bichette, they could swing big for Adames and then put Bichette on the trade block to really shake things up.
If they’re drawing up a $150-plus million deal for a shortstop, though, one would imagine it’ll be to lock up Bichette through at least 2030.
Current SS/2B/3B: Trevor Story, Rafael Devers, David Hamilton/Vaughn Grissom
Boston keeps popping up as a possible suitor for Adames, but it doesn’t make much sense. Not only should the Red Sox be focused on upgrading their starting rotation, but they still have Trevor Story signed for three more not-cheap years. Plus, Marcelo Mayer has to be coming eventually, right?
Current SS/2B/3B: CJ Abrams, Luis García Jr., Brady House/José Tena
Could the Nationals convert CJ Abrams to a first baseman? Or maybe move the 6’7″ James Wood to first base and Abrams to corner outfield? Because keeping Abrams’ bat (20 HR) and speed (31 SB) in the lineup is a must, but his defense at shortstop is a problem.
While they still have a few more years of paying off both Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, the Nats have more than enough room in their budget to make an Adames-sized splash. If they’re spending, though, it’s probably for an ace or an actual first baseman.
Current SS/2B/3B: J.P. Crawford, Dylan Moore, Josh Rojas
Seattle should do something about its offense, and it should happen somewhere in the infield. But can the M’s make an investment this hefty? Their projected payroll is already in the vicinity of $150 million, and they’ve never had an Opening Day payroll north of $158 million.
A short-term, nowhere-near-$25-million-per-year investment in Gleyber Torres is more likely to fit the Mariners’ M.O. But maybe they’ll invest more than $25 million total on a free-agent hitter for the first time since signing Nelson Cruz almost exactly one decade ago.
