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The San Francisco Giants believed they were buying stability and power up the middle when they committed long-term money to Willy Adames. Still, Bleacher Report now views that contract as one that could age uncomfortably fast. In its breakdown of MLB deals most likely to become financial headaches by 2028, Adames landed squarely in the danger zone—not because his first season in San Francisco was a disaster, but because the margin for error moving forward is razor thin.
Bleacher Report’s analysis focused on cash owed beginning in 2028 rather than luxury-tax implications or early-year value. That perspective matters for a Giants franchise still searching for sustained star-level production. Adames’ deal isn’t among the league’s largest, but relative size doesn’t eliminate risk when age, defense, and inconsistency all intersect.
Power Alone May Not Justify The Price
By 2028, Adames will be entering his age-32 season with four years remaining on his contract at $28 million annually. For a shortstop, that’s a significant commitment—especially one whose value is tied more to power than to all-around excellence. Adames’ first year with the Giants ultimately produced solid surface numbers, including 30 home runs, a milestone no San Francisco player had reached since Barry Bonds in 2004.
But Bleacher Report highlighted how uneven that production was. Adames struggled mightily through the season’s first two months, hitting under .200 while starting each of the Giants’ first 65 games. A midseason reset and lineup shift unlocked a strong second half, salvaging his overall line and reinforcing his reputation as a late bloomer.
That profile cuts both ways. While Adames has consistently been better in July and August throughout his career, it raises questions about sustainability as he moves deeper into his 30s. Betting on second-half surges becomes riskier when bat speed slows or recovery time increases. If those late-season explosions fade, the contract quickly looks top-heavy for a player who has never made an All-Star team.
Defense And Postseason Performance Magnify The Risk
Adames’ glove is another area of concern. While his defense improved compared to a rough final season in Milwaukee, he remains far from elite. He has never won a Gold Glove and wasn’t particularly close in 2025. For a shortstop being paid at the upper end of the market, merely passable defense may not be enough—especially if offensive production fluctuates.
Bleacher Report also pointed to Adames’ postseason track record, which quietly undercuts his reputation. Dating back to the 2019 ALDS, Adames has gone 30 consecutive playoff games without a home run, posting a sub-.200 batting average in October. For a Giants organization that signed him with postseason impact in mind, that history matters.
Roster construction adds another layer of complexity. If the Giants ultimately deploy Bryce Eldridge as a long-term first baseman and Rafael Devers as a primary designated hitter, positional flexibility disappears. That leaves nowhere to hide, Adames, if his defense slips further or his bat becomes streakier. Shortstop would remain his only realistic home, even if his skill set no longer fits the position cleanly.
Bleacher Report isn’t calling Adames a failed signing. It’s a warning that the path to surplus value is narrow. The Giants need him to remain a reliable power source, a serviceable defender, and a durable everyday player well into his mid-30s. That’s a difficult trifecta to maintain, especially for someone whose career arc has already defied conventional aging patterns.
For San Francisco, Adames represents both upside and vulnerability. If his second-half heroics continue, the deal stays defensible. If they don’t, this contract could quietly become one of the Giants’ most limiting commitments as the decade moves forward.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia
