What to know about Brewers shortstop Willy Adames as the trade deadline draws closer

When the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Willy Adames in May 2021 , he was hitting .197 with five home runs in 15 RBI in 41 games as Tampa Bay's starting shortstop.

It didn't take long for Adames to adapt to his new surroundings.

The Brewers immediately caught fire and finished 95-67, rolling to a National League Central Division title . Adames hit .285 with 20 home runs and 58 RBI after being traded, proving to be an immediate team leader and unifier.

Fast forward to 2024 and he has hit 88 home runs and driven in 292 runs in 459 games with the Brewers.

With 13 homers and 56 RBI entering the Brewers' series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5, Adames is part of the many reasons the Brewers lead the National League Central Division by a somewhat comfortable margin.

Fans should be anticipating the July 30 trade deadline, but instead, they are fretting it.

Why? The 2022 collapse after the Brewers traded all-star closer Josh Hader is a sore spot that is still felt all the way up in the Uecker seats.

However, based on the energy Adames brings to the Brewers' lineup, the decision-makers would likely have to receive an offer they absolutely couldn't refuse to move Adames to another contender while the club is among the top teams in the National League.

Here's a glance at why Adames will remain a hot topic in baseball circles until the trade deadline passes:

How long has Willy Adames been on the Brewers?

Adames and right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards were acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on May 21, 2021, for r ight-handers J.P. Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen. While both Feyereisen and Rasmussen had their moments for the Rays, it's safe to say that deal has worked out quite well for the Brewers.

Where is Adames from?

Santiago, Dominican Republic

How tall is he?

6-feet-1

How old is Adames?

Adames will be 29 years old on Sept. 2.

Has Willy Adames played for other teams?

Adames signed with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent in July 2012 but was traded to the Rays in a deadline deal on July 31, 2014. He made his debut for the Rays in 2018 and played in Tampa until being traded to the Brewers.

When was Willy Adames' best season with the Brewers?

In 2022, Adames hit 31 home runs and drove in 98 runs despite hitting just .238. In his first three seasons with Milwaukee, Adames averaged 25 home runs and 78.6 RBI a season. In his first 88 games of 2024, Adames has 13 home runs and 56 RBI.

Willy Adames': Pregame naps help Brewers iron man stay on top of his game

Has Willy Adames ever made the all-star team?

No, he's still wating for his first invitation to the mid-summer classic.

What is Willy Adames' salary?

Adames is making $12.5 million in 2024.

Why is there speculation that Willy Adames could be traded by July 30?

Adames is in the final year of his contract with the Brewers and will become a free agent at the end of the season. The Brewers have numerous starting pitching injuries and could offer Adames to another contender at the trade deadline to upgrade the depth in their rotation or for propsects at other positions of need.

Who would be Willy Adames' replacement at shortstop if he was traded?

It's possible that rookie Joey Ortiz, who was acquired in the Corbin Burnes trade and is currently playing third base for the Brewers, would move to shortstop. However, Ortiz is currently on the injured list.

Is it more likely that the Brewers will keep Adames?

In an interview earlier this month, team owner Mark Attanasio said the team had contract extension discussions with Adames in the offseason.

“Yes, there were conversations," Attanasio said. "Willy’s performance got to a point where it would be — we’ll see what happens after the season — but he’s going to command quite a significant package as a free agent."

When asked if it was possible if the Brewers would let Adames play out his contract, general manager Matt Arnold brought up Adames' daily impact both on and off the field.

"From my perspective you can never close the door on anything, but he is the heartbeat of our team in a lot of ways,” Arnold said. “Always want to stay open-minded but also recognize the value that he brings to us every day.”

If the Brewers are still in first place at the deadline, it's hard to imagine the front office would put the team through a similar situation when they decided to trade Hader in 2022.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Brewers shortstop Willy Adames as the trade deadline draws closer