Rumored favorites for Willy Adames not good for Braves chances

Of all the teams in baseball, the Atlanta Braves might be the best fit for shortstop Willy Adames. Since Dansby Swanson left two years ago, Atlanta has been in search of a steady replacement, and while Orlando Arcia filled the role admirably in 2023, his performance in 2024 suggested that it was more of a one-off. Arcia’s capabilities seem best suited to a utility role, leaving the Braves in need of a true, long-term answer at shortstop. Willy Adames, as the only proven starting-caliber option available, is the ideal target.

However, Adames is going to come with a steep price tag. He couldn’t be entering free agency at a better time; the demand for an All-Star shortstop is perennially high, and this year, the supply is almost non-existent outside of Adames himself. Every team in need of a shortstop will be vying for him, and unfortunately for the Braves, one of those teams is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers, fresh off their World Series victory over the Yankees, are coming off a record-breaking offseason spending spree and have shown no signs of slowing down, with Adames reportedly being a top target. Mike Rodriguez, who previously broke the Jorge Soler trade news, considers the Dodgers the favorites to land Adames, who could be in line for a $150-200 million contract.

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The challenge for the Braves is that even with a payroll that ranks among the top 10 and continues to grow, they aren’t equipped to outbid the Dodgers if Los Angeles is truly determined to acquire Adames. It’s a reality of MLB’s free-market dynamics in the absence of a hard salary cap. While salary cap reform is a discussion many feel is overdue, any changes won’t be happening this offseason.

For the Braves, a $150 million offer over six years might be feasible, but if the bidding climbs higher, they may find themselves outpaced. In that case, Atlanta might be facing another year with Orlando Arcia as their Opening Day shortstop in 2025, unless they can find another creative solution.

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Photo Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire