Former Tigers prospect signs massive $182 million deal

One of the Detroit Tigers’ most notable Latin American success stories has secured a huge new contract.

Shortstop Willy Adames agreed to a seven-year, $182 contract with the San Francisco Giants this weekend.

Signed by the Tigers out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, Adames spent two seasons in Detroit’s minor league system before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31, 2014, as part of the deal that brought David Price to Detroit. A decade later, Adames has established himself as one of the sport’s best shortstops — and now he’s one of the richest.

Adames was traded to the Brewers for two relievers in 2021 as the Rays cleared the way for shortstop prospect Wander Franco. He entered free agency after an outstanding 2024 season in which he played 161 games, hit 32 home runs, and posted a .794 OPS (118 OPS+).

Adames was also a well-regarded defender, although his stats dipped in 2024 and he expressed a willingness to move to third base for his new team if needed. It doesn’t look like that will be part of the plan for the Giants, who have Matt Chapman as a skilled outfielder at the hot corner.

Signing Adames takes one of the top free agents off the market just as the MLB winter meetings begin this week in Dallas. All eyes are on star outfielder Juan Soto, whose expected record-breaking contract is the biggest story of the winter.