Buster Posey once held the San Francisco Giants' record for the largest contract in franchise history. His first major move as the club's president of baseball operations was to reshape the left side of the infield with a significant signing.

Signing Willy Adames: A Game-Changer

The Giants agreed to a seven-year, $182 million contract with free-agent shortstop Willy Adames on Saturday. This move reshapes the infield for the remainder of the decade and shows the Giants' resolve to remain competitive. Adames, 29, had an outstanding season last year, earning 4.8 fWAR, finishing fourth in the majors with 112 RBIs, setting career highs in home runs (32) and stolen bases (21), and leading the Milwaukee Brewers to the NL Central title. He is a respected leader and an upgrade over the Giants' internal options at the shortstop position.With Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman, who signed a six-year, $150 million extension in September, the Giants have committed a significant amount of money to establish a solid offensive and defensive presence on the left side of the infield. This investment is similar to the megadeals made by the Texas Rangers after the 2021 season.The agreement with Adames is pending a physical, which is a crucial detail given the medical issues that affected Carlos Correa's contract. But Adames clearly represents the best shortstop on the market, and Posey was clear about his priority of acquiring a shortstop.

Problem Solving on the Field

As a player, Buster Posey was known for his problem-solving skills. During his career behind the plate, he tackled problems head-on and avoided overthinking. His first major move as the Giants' chief baseball architect shows that he will continue to rely on these attributes.Signing Adames forced the Giants to sacrifice their second- and fifth-round picks along with $1 million in international bonus money. But Posey wasn't deterred by these considerations. He believes in acquiring complete baseball players who can do various things.

Adding to the Roster

The addition of Adames would push Tyler Fitzgerald into a competition at second base with Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely, and potentially Marco Luciano. The Giants also need to address their pitching needs, as their rotation threw the fewest innings in the National League last season.Several reports have linked the Giants to former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes. Both Adames and Burnes are known to Zack Minasian, the Giants' newly elevated GM. Minasian had a strong voice in championing Burnes when he showed promise in the minor leagues.Adding Adames' $26 million average annual value would put the Giants' estimated cash-basis payroll at roughly $170 million. The Giants could trade one or more of their arbitration-eligible players or sign a second-tier starting pitcher to manage their budget.Posey has always been able to cut through the noise and go after the best player. He believes in taking risks and convincing ownership to spend. He said, "I know we'll be very diligent in our decision-making. But sometimes we have to be OK with taking risks and making bold moves."