SAN FRANCISCO — Willy Adames wasted little time making one factor clear: He desires to play all 162 video games for the San Francisco Giants.
So when launched as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames regarded to his left and gently put a hand on supervisor Bob Melvin’s proper shoulder, smiled and stated, “if he lets me.”
Melvin may not want a lot convincing, thrilled to out of the blue have stability at a place that lacked continuity this 12 months in his first season as skipper.
Adames did not hesitate to additionally supply a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a couple of championships with the Giants similar to the catcher-turned-executive did right here.
Surrounded by his dad and mom and different household and pals, Adames was formally launched and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract – the primary large, splashy transfer made by Posey since he grew to become President of Baseball Operations in late September.
“There is not any phrases to explain my feeling proper now to be right here on this lovely metropolis, I am simply so joyful to be right here,” Adames stated. “… This can be a dream come true for me. I am thrilled to be right here, I am so excited. Hopefully we are able to win a couple of championships such as you did, and that is one of many principal causes I am right here.”
Everybody who has encountered Adames up to now cannot watch for him to get to work for example each on the diamond and within the clubhouse.
“He is a novel connector of individuals,” Posey shared from Craig Counsell’s description of the 29-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic. “That actually struck me as a result of I feel to win championships it’s a must to have personalities like Willy that they are in a position to determine with everyone within the clubhouse, and that is not simply gamers. I heard from a number of folks that Willy treats everyone with the utmost respect. He performs with power, he performs with pleasure and I do know that our followers are simply going to be thrilled to observe him compete each day.”
Adames’ deal marks the richest contract for San Francisco since Posey reached a $167 million, nine-year pact in 2013.
“I did not know ’til it was carried out. I used to be like ‘wow,'” Adames stated.
From afar, Adames watched the legacy left by his hero Derek Jeter that went far past the baseball diamond.
And that is as essential to Adames as taking part in all 162 after he appeared in 161 video games final season for Milwaukee. He considers a part of his function to assist the younger gamers study “to be an expert” and lead a membership that has missed the playoffs the previous three years in successful the proper method.
“For me that comes first, it comes first to be a terrific human being. I’ve received to thank my dad and mom for that, they raised me the proper method, to attempt to deal with everyone the identical, it would not matter what you are doing,” Adames stated. “I feel that is one thing that I am actually pleased with, simply to be the identical man day-after-day, to be variety, simply to present love again to individuals as a result of there’s plenty of hate on the market and I do not actually like that.”
The Giants know Adames’ constructive affect may go far.
Requested concerning the instability at shortstop, Melvin famous, “Properly, it is not an issue now.”
Adames provides the Giants an influence bat and dependable protection at his place. This 12 months for the Brewers, he produced his finest offensive season within the large leagues, batting .251 with a career-high 32 residence runs and 112 RBI.
“Look, each staff desires a Willy Adames on their staff. I feel the factor that strikes me essentially the most is after I’d watch him play a pair occasions a 12 months on the opposite aspect was he by no means regarded like he had a nasty day,” Melvin stated. “It at all times regarded like day-after-day was opening day to him. That enthusiasm when your finest gamers are like that – Matt Chapman is like that, too – it is easy for everyone to must fall in and play in that kind of favor. It is simpler stated than carried out however actually for me that is the factor that struck me most is how a lot he liked taking part in baseball.”
Adames is shut pals with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his personal experiences being a part of the San Francisco franchise.
All of it grew to become actual when Adames pulled on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, “I am a bit nervous about this.”
A number of moments later, the cap went on his head and he felt proper at residence.
“It seems wonderful.”