In May 2021, the Tampa Bay Rays shocked the baseball world when they traded shortstop Willy Adames to the Milwaukee Brewers. Adames had been a key player for the Rays, but the team believed that he was expendable due to the emergence of top prospect Wander Franco.
The trade sent Adames to the Brewers in exchange for two relief pitchers, Drew Rasmussen, and J.P. Feyereisen. The move was seen as a bold and unexpected one, but it has paid off for both teams in different ways.
We will explore the reasons behind the trade and analyze its impact on both the Rays and the Brewers. We will also take a closer look at Willy Adames’ time with the Rays, the emergence of Wander Franco, and the Rays’ overall strategy in making this trade.
The Trade
On May 21, 2021, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Willy Adames and Trevor Richards to the Milwaukee Brewers for two relief pitchers, Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen. The trade was seen as a surprise move, as Adames had been a key player for the Rays since his debut in 2018.
Willy Adames was a defensive standout at shortstop, but he struggled at the plate in the 2020 season, batting just .259 with a .707 OPS. Meanwhile, the Brewers were in need of a shortstop after losing their starter, Luis Urias, to injury.
In exchange for Adames and Richards, the Rays received Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen, two young relief pitchers with promising potential.
Rasmussen was a former top prospect who had struggled in limited major league appearances, while Feyereisen had put up solid numbers in his limited time in the big leagues.
Overall, the trade was seen as a calculated move by the Rays to bolster their bullpen while clearing the way for their top prospect, Wander Franco, to make his major league debut. For the Brewers, the trade provided a much-needed upgrade at shortstop with the addition of Willy Adames.
The trade has proven to be a win-win for both teams. Willy Adames has thrived with the Brewers, hitting .298 with an .863 OPS in his first 63 games with the team.
He has been a key contributor to the Brewers’ success this season, helping them stay in contention in the National League Central.
On the other hand, Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen have provided valuable depth to the Rays’ bullpen.
Rasmussen has been particularly impressive, posting a 2.11 ERA with 33 strikeouts in his first 21 appearances with the team. Feyereisen has also been solid, with a 3.52 ERA and 21 strikeouts in his first 15 appearances.
Overall, the trade has worked out well for both teams, with each side addressing a need and improving their respective rosters.
The success of the trade demonstrates the importance of strategic thinking and calculated risk-taking in the world of baseball.
Adames’ Struggles
Willy Adames had been a key player for the Tampa Bay Rays since his debut in 2018. However, his performance at the plate during the 2020 season had been lackluster. Adames had struggled to find his form, hitting just .259 with a .707 OPS, which were both down from his numbers in 2019.
Adames’ struggles at the plate had been a cause for concern for the Rays, as they had been counting on him to be a consistent performer in their lineup.
Despite his defensive prowess at shortstop, Adames’ offensive struggles had put his spot in the starting lineup in jeopardy.
Leading up to the trade, Adames’ performance had continued to be inconsistent. Through 41 games in the 2021 season, he was batting just .197 with a .624 OPS. While Adames had shown flashes of his potential, he had not been able to put it all together on a consistent basis.
The Rays’ decision to trade Adames can be seen as a strategic move to capitalize on his relatively high trade value while also clearing the way for their top prospect, Wander Franco.
While Adames had been a solid contributor for the Rays during his time with the team, his struggles at the plate had made him expendable, especially with Franco waiting in the wings.
Overall, Adames’ struggles at the plate in the 2020 and 2021 seasons likely played a significant role in the Rays’ decision to trade him.
While he had shown flashes of his potential, he had not been able to consistently perform at a high level. As a result, the Rays decided to move on from Adames and give their top prospect a chance to prove himself at the major league level.
Wander Franco
Wander Franco is widely regarded as the top prospect in all of baseball. The 20-year-old shortstop has been a highly-touted prospect since he was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent in 2017.
Franco has impressed scouts and analysts with his impressive blend of skills at the plate and in the field. He is known for his advanced approach at the plate, with a keen eye for the strike zone and the ability to hit for both power and average. Defensively, Franco is a natural shortstop with smooth actions and a strong arm.
Many baseball experts believe that Franco is already major league ready, despite his young age and limited experience at the Triple-A level.
In fact, Franco had been tearing up the minor leagues leading up to his call-up, batting .315 with a .907 OPS in 2019 and .315 with a .828 OPS in 2021 at Triple-A Durham.
When Willy Adames was traded, it opened up a spot for Franco to make his much-anticipated major league debut. In his first 13 games with the Rays, Franco has shown flashes of his potential, batting .256 with a .737 OPS and two home runs.
While Franco is still adjusting to the major league level and facing more challenging pitching, he has shown that he has the tools to be a successful player in the big leagues.
The Rays’ decision to trade Adames and clear the way for Franco’s debut can be seen as a strategic move to give their top prospect a chance to shine and potentially become a cornerstone of the team’s future.
Rays’ Strategy
The Tampa Bay Rays are known for their innovative and strategic approach to building a competitive team on a small budget. The decision to trade Willy Adames and call up Wander Franco is just one example of the Rays’ willingness to make bold moves to stay ahead of the curve.
By trading Adames, the Rays were able to capitalize on his relatively high trade value while also clearing the way for their top prospect, Wander Franco, to make his major league debut.
Adames had been a solid contributor for the Rays during his time with the team, but his struggles at the plate in the 2020 and 2021 seasons had made him expendable, especially with Franco waiting in the wings.
In return for Adames, the Rays acquired two solid players in reliever J.P. Feyereisen and utility infielder Drew Rasmussen.
Both players have the potential to contribute to the Rays’ success in the short and long term, with Feyereisen providing bullpen depth and Rasmussen offering versatility in the infield and outfield.
The decision to call up Wander Franco was a bold move by the Rays, but one that had been anticipated for some time.
Franco had been tearing up the minor leagues with his impressive blend of offensive and defensive skills, and many experts believed that he was already major league ready.
By calling up Franco, the Rays were able to inject their lineup with a much-needed boost of talent and potential.
Franco has already shown that he has the tools to be a successful player at the major league level, and his presence in the lineup gives the Rays a chance to compete with some of the best teams in the league.
Overall, the Rays’ strategy of trading Adames and calling up Franco can be seen as a calculated move to improve the team’s performance in the short and long term.
By acquiring solid players in return for Adames and giving their top prospect a chance to prove himself, the Rays have once again shown that they are a team to be reckoned with in the highly competitive world of professional baseball.
Impact on the Brewers
Since being acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers in the trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, Willy Adames has been a key contributor to the Brewers’ success. Adames’ performance has been a major factor in the Brewers’ surge to the top of the National League Central division.
In his first 32 games with the Brewers, Adames has been a standout performer, hitting .267 with a .819 OPS and six home runs. Adames has also made an impact with his defense, providing solid play at the shortstop position.
Adames’ impact on the Brewers’ season can be seen in his contributions to the team’s overall success. The Brewers have been one of the hottest teams in baseball since Adames’ arrival, winning 22 of their first 32 games with him in the lineup.
Adames’ presence in the lineup has helped to provide a spark for the Brewers’ offense, which had struggled at times during the early part of the season.
Adames’ ability to hit for power and average, combined with his strong defense, has made him a valuable addition to the Brewers’ roster.
Overall, the trade for Willy Adames has had a significant impact on the Brewers’ season. Adames’ strong play at the plate and in the field has helped to elevate the Brewers to the top of their division, and his contributions will be key as the team looks to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Comparison of Willy Adames’ Performance With the Rays and Brewers
| Statistic | 2020 (Rays) | 2021 (Rays) | 2021 (Brewers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .259 | .197 | .282 |
| On-Base Percentage | .332 | .254 | .348 |
| Slugging Percentage | .428 | .371 | .489 |
| Home Runs | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Runs Batted In | 23 | 15 | 36 |
| Runs Scored | 29 | 17 | 26 |
This table compares Willy Adames’ performance during the 2020 season with the Rays, his performance during the 2021 season with the Rays prior to the trade, and his performance with the Brewers after the trade.
The table shows how Adames’ batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage have improved since joining the Brewers, while also highlighting his increased production in terms of home runs, runs batted in, and runs scored.
FAQs
What other players were involved in the trade?
In addition to Willy Adames, the Tampa Bay Rays also traded relief pitcher Trevor Richards to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitchers Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen.
Why did the Brewers trade for Adames?
The Brewers traded for Adames to address a need at the shortstop position, as they had struggled to find a consistent performer at that position during the early part of the season.
Adames was seen as a potential solution to that problem, as he had a track record of solid defense and had shown flashes of offensive potential in his time with the Rays.
Did the Rays receive enough in return for Adames?
The trade of Adames has been widely regarded as a win for the Rays, as they were able to acquire two promising young pitchers in exchange for a player who had struggled at the plate during the 2020 season.
While Adames has played well with the Brewers, the Rays’ decision to call up Wander Franco has given them a potential superstar in the making, which could make the trade even more beneficial for the Rays in the long run.
Was Adames unhappy with the trade?
While there were some reports that Adames was surprised and disappointed by the trade, he has been professional and positive in his public comments about the move.
Adames has expressed gratitude for his time with the Rays and has embraced his new role with the Brewers, where he has become a key contributor to the team’s success.
What impact will the trade have on the Rays and Brewers in the long term?
The trade of Willy Adames could have long-term implications for both teams, as it has the potential to shape their rosters and performances for years to come.
The Rays’ decision to call up Wander Franco could make them even more competitive in the years ahead, while the Brewers’ acquisition of Adames could provide stability at the shortstop position for seasons to come.
Ultimately, the impact of the trade will depend on how the players involved continue to develop and perform over time.
Conclusion
The trade of Willy Adames from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Milwaukee Brewers was a significant move that has had an impact on both teams.
The Rays’ decision to trade Adames and call up Wander Franco was a calculated move that has helped to inject their lineup with a much-needed boost of talent and potential.
The Brewers, on the other hand, have benefited greatly from Adames’ contributions both at the plate and in the field, as he has helped to elevate the team to the top of their division.
The trade is a reminder of the strategic and innovative approach that the Tampa Bay Rays are known for, as they are always looking for ways to improve their team while operating on a smaller budget.
The trade has also demonstrated the impact that a single player can have on a team’s season, as Adames’ strong play with the Brewers has helped to propel the team to success.
Overall, the trade of Willy Adames will continue to have implications for both the Rays and the Brewers as the season progresses, and it will be interesting to see how it impacts the teams’ performances in the years to come.
