The San Diego Padres have been relatively quiet as the MLB offseason gets underway, but their National League West competitors, particularly the San Francisco Giants, have wasted no time making significant moves. Over the weekend, the Giants made headlines by signing free-agent shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million deal. This acquisition provides the Giants with a cornerstone player to anchor their infield for the foreseeable future and signals their intent to challenge the dominance of the division’s top teams.
Adames, 29, is coming off a career season in 2024, where he posted personal bests with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. His combination of power and defense makes him one of the top shortstops in the game, and his signing addresses a major need for San Francisco. The move also ensures that third baseman Matt Chapman, who had previously indicated a willingness to switch to shortstop to accommodate a potential signing of Ha-Seong Kim, will remain at his natural position.
For Padres fans, this signing is significant, as it means the Giants are unlikely to pursue Ha-Seong Kim, one of the most sought-after free-agent middle infielders this offseason. Kim, who is recovering from right labrum surgery, is expected to miss the beginning of the 2025 season but remains a valuable asset due to his excellent defense and versatility. Despite declining his mutual option with the Padres and signaling his departure from San Diego, Kim is still projected to secure a lucrative deal this winter. The Giants’ move for Adames removes one potential suitor, narrowing the options for Kim’s landing spot.
This offseason has already seen other big moves in the division. The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their pitching rotation by signing Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract. These transactions heighten the pressure on Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller to make his own impact during the winter. With fan favorites like outfielder Jurickson Profar still available, there is hope among San Diego supporters that the team can bring back key contributors or make a splashy acquisition to stay competitive in the increasingly challenging NL West.
The Adames signing also represents a strong opening for Buster Posey’s tenure as the Giants’ president of baseball operations. After a challenging stretch in which the Giants struggled to keep pace with the division’s powerhouses, this move signifies a shift toward re-establishing San Francisco as a contender. By solidifying their infield and adding a premier talent, the Giants are signaling they are serious about breaking the dominance of the Padres, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks in the division.
As the offseason continues, all eyes will be on the Padres to see how they respond to their rivals’ aggressive moves. With key free agents still on the market and a roster in need of reinforcements, the team has an opportunity to make headlines of its own before the 2025 season begins.
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