San Francisco Giants fans are growing uneasy about shortstop Willy Adames’ slow start after he signed a 7-year, \$182 million contract in the offseason.
Nearly two months into the season, Adames is batting just .208 with five home runs and holds a -0.3 bWAR.
However, Giants legend and current President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey voiced his confidence in Adames during an appearance on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus” show on May 29. Posey emphasized that early struggles after signing a major contract aren’t unusual.
“It’s not rare for star players to scuffle a bit after signing big deals,” Posey said. “We saw it happen with Trea Turner, Francisco Lindor, and even somewhat with Juan Soto this season. Patience is key… Willy is a stud.”
Buster Posey on what he would tell #SFGiants fans about Willy Adames:
"I would say be patient. It's not uncommon when superstar players sign a big deal and struggle out of the gate. We saw it with Trea Turner, we saw it with Francisco Lindor. You are seeing to an extent with… pic.twitter.com/PBgIrs3Jak
— KNBR (@KNBR) May 29, 2025
Manager Bob Melvin has also stood by Adames. After he went 0-for-4 in the opener of the Giants’ recent series — a three-game sweep by the Detroit Tigers — Melvin acknowledged that Adames may be pressing at the plate but believes it’s part of the process.
“Sometimes guys try a little too hard in big RBI spots, and that’s kind of his thing,” Melvin said in a postgame interview. “He hit a lot of three-run homers last year. It’ll come. I think he’s just pressing a bit and swinging too early in those moments.”
Willy Adames’ Contract Is a Big Investment for San Francisco
This season, Adames ranks as only the fifth-highest paid player on the Giants by annual salary, trailing behind stars Matt Chapman, Robbie Ray, Jung Hoo Lee, and Justin Verlander.
However, the \$182 million total commitment San Francisco made to Adames marks the largest contract in franchise history—surpassing even Buster Posey’s 2013 extension, which now stands as the second-largest.
The Giants brought Adames in to boost their star power and remain competitive in the tightly contested National League West playoff race.
Despite facing challenges on the field, Adames has continued to embrace a leadership role in the clubhouse.
“I pride myself on my work ethic, and I think people recognize that,” Adames said during Spring Training on MLB Network Radio. “They see the consistent attitude I bring every day—always showing up with energy and staying competitive.”
Can Adames Get Back to Playing at an MVP Level?
In recent seasons, Willy Adames has established himself as one of the top shortstops in the game.
Since 2021, he’s consistently hit 20 or more home runs each year, peaking with a career-best 32 homers in 2024. That season, he also tallied 112 RBIs and placed 10th in the National League MVP voting.
At 29, Adames is still in the heart of his athletic prime. However, he’ll need a significant turnaround this summer if he hopes to come close to matching his 2024 numbers.
He’ll get his next shot to heat up at the plate this weekend when the Giants begin a three-game series against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park from Friday through Sunday.
Giants fans are hoping he can build some momentum as June approaches — a hot bat from Adames could be just what the team needs to dig out of their current three-game deficit in the NL West.
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