Longtime Reds' killer exits NL Central for mega-deal with Giants

That's one less thing for the Reds to worry about.

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Willy Adames
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Willy Adames | John Fisher/GettyImages

The Cincinnati Reds will no longer have to worry about Willy Adames haunting their dreams on a regular basis. The longtime Milwaukee Brewers shortstop signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, effectively ending his torturous run against the Reds in the NL Central.

Adames was loosely linked to the Reds' prior to the 2021 trade that sent him from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Brewers. Looking at Adames' splits versus the Reds (.255/.327/.563), Cincinnati will be happy to finally have the infielder out of division. The 29-year-old has 19 career homers versus the Reds; the most versus any team he's faced throughout his career.

Reds' killer Willy Adames signs contract with SF Giants

Adames is off to San Fran in hopes of helping to resurrect a once-great franchise. The Giants have fallen on hard times since winning the NL West back in 2021. San Francisco hasn't had a winning season the past three years and dismissed President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi earlier this offseason. Future Hall of Famer Buster Posey is now running the show out in the Bay Area, and one of his first major signings will certainly upgrade both the Giants' lineup and their defense.

Adames was arguably the best infielder available this offseason, though Alex Bregman is still on the open market as well. The Giants said goodbye to longtime shortstop Brandon Crawford last winter and struggled to find his replacement in 2024. With Adames and Matt Chapman locking down the left side of the infield, ground ball hits will be hard to come by when opponents visit Oracle Park next season.

The MLB Winter Meetings haven't even begun yet, and already the stove is hot. Juan Soto's eventual destination is expected to be announced any day now, and once the superstar outfielder finds his home for 2025, the entire market is expected to explode.

The Giants got a head start on the rest of the league with their addition of Adames, and Reds' fans are breathing a sigh of relief. If the St. Louis Cardinals are able to follow through on their notion to trade Nolan Arenado, that would be two players that have dominated the Reds in the past who are no longer part of the NL Central. Let's hope that happens next.

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