Willy Adames didn’t waste any time in stating his desire to play in all 162 San Francisco Giants games.
Adames turned to his left as he was announced as their new shortstop on Thursday. He then laid a gentle hand on manager Bob Melvin’s right shoulder, grinned, and added, “if he lets me.”
In his first season as captain, Melvin may not need much persuasion since he is overjoyed to have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year.
Without hesitation, Adames also shared his thoughts with new manager Buster Posey: He intends to win a few titles with the Giants, just like the former catcher turned CEO did here.
After signing a $182 million, seven-year contract—the first significant, high-profile move made by Posey since he was appointed President of Baseball Operations in late September—Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park, surrounded by his parents and other family members and friends.
“There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames stated. For me, this is a dream come true. I’m really glad and happy to be here. One of the primary reasons I’m here is to hope that we can win a few titles like you did.
Everyone who has seen Adames thus far is eager for him to start working so that he can set an example in the clubhouse and on the diamond.
Posey mirrored Craig Counsell’s assessment of the 29-year-old Dominican Republic infielder, saying, “He’s a unique connector of people.” “I think having characters like Willy who can relate to everyone in the clubhouse—not just players—is essential for winning championships, so that really got my attention. Willy treats everyone with the most respect, according to several persons I spoke with. He plays with joy and vitality, and I have no doubt that our supporters will be ecstatic to see him compete every day.”
Since Posey signed a $167 million, nine-year contract in 2013, Adames’ agreement is the most lucrative one for San Francisco.
“Until it was finished, I was unaware. “I thought, ‘Wow,'” Adames remarked.
Adames observed from a distance Derek Jeter’s legacy, which extended well beyond the baseball field.
And after making 161 appearances for Milwaukee the previous season, that is as important to Adames as playing all 162. Helping the young players learn “to be a professional” and guide a team that has missed the playoffs for the last three years to victory is something he views as part of his job description.
“Being a great human being is the most important thing to me. For that, I must give my parents credit; they taught me to respect everyone equally, regardless of their occupation,” Adames remarked. “I think that’s something that I’m really proud of, just to be the same guy every day, to be kind, just to give love back to people because there’s a lot of hate out there and I don’t really like that.”
The Giants are aware that Adames might have a significant beneficial impact.
Melvin responded to a question concerning the instability at shortstop by saying, “Well, it’s not a problem now.”
At his position, Adames provides the Giants with a dependable defense and a powerful bat. He had his finest offensive season in the major leagues this year, hitting for the Brewers.251 with 112 RBIs and a career-high 32 home homers.
“Look, every team wants a Willy Adames on their team. I think the thing that strikes me the most is when I’d watch him play a couple times a year on the other side was he never looked like he had a bad day,” Melvin said. “To him, every day seemed like the first day. That enthusiasm when your best players are like that Matt Chapman is like that, too it’s easy for everybody to have to fall in and play in that type of style. It’s easier said than done but really for me that’s the thing that struck me most is how much he loved playing baseball.”
Adames is close friends with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his own experiences being part of the San Francisco franchise.
It all became real when Adames pulled on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, “I’m a little nervous about this.”
A few moments later, the cap went on his head and he felt right at home.
“It looks amazing.”
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.