The 2025 MLB season is almost ready to kick off with Opening Day, and all 30 teams will be underway soon after the Cubs and Dodgers kicked off the action in Tokyo last week.
The San Francisco Giants are looking to emerge with consistency, something that they lacked when they placed fourth in the NL West last year, finishing the 2024 season with an 80-82 record. The best offseason move they made was signing free agent Willy Adames to a franchise record deal worth $182 million years over seven years.
This signing was beneficial for the Giants as he will work great alongside third baseman Matt Chapman, ultimately creating a dynamic duo for the Giants on the left side of the infield.
Adames carries the upside of an elite player on both sides of the ball. As a shortstop, he provides huge offensive power, with 32 home runs, 21 steals, and 112 RBIs for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. These impressive numbers as a shortstop rank him as one of the best among other options at the position like Mookie Betts and Corey Seager. Adames is also a solid defender as he has a good arm with a strong track record of glove work.
San Francisco Giants dyanmic duo will carry team in 2025
The dynamic duo relationship of Chapman and Adames will be exciting to watch this season. According to MLB's Maria Guardado, the Giants will be a threat thanks to their two infield stars. ''The Giants locked up the left side of their infield by signing third baseman Matt Chapman and shortstop Willy Adames to long-term deals last year," Guardado explained.
"San Francisco will lean on the veteran duo to lead the way in 2025, but the club will need steady production across the diamond if it intends on surging back into contention this season.''
The former Brewers difference maker has also talked about how he is looking forward to playing with Chapman, who he's applauded for his greatness at third. Adames' new partner in crime also had a solid 2024 campaign. Chapman earned his fifth career Gold Glove Award and led the team with 27 home runs, while also ranking second behind Tyler Fitzgerald with 15 stolen bases.
It's clear the two All-Stars will be paramount to the team's success this season. But how do they compare to other top-notch shortstop and third baseman duos?
Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos
Last season, Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos came together as a dynamic duo for the New York Mets. Lindor was a strong contributor offering his usual, reliable performance while Vientos displayed solid breakout power.
Both played big roles in the team's surprising run to the NLCS. Vientos hit a memorable grand slam in the NLCS and Lindor contributed with two home runs, 14 hits, and eight RBIs in the postseason last year.
The 2024 Silver Slugger winner is also known for his defensive abilities and his 7.8 WAR last season makes him one of the best shortstops in baseball. While Vientos doesn't match Chapman as a third baseman, there's a lot to like about his game.
Sportsnets New York's on-air talent Anthony McCarron believes that Vientos will be ''maybe be the Mets’ next long-term third baseman. That would put him in some nice company.'' But will Lindor and Vientos be able to stand taller than a fellow NL East duo, let alone Chapman and Adames?
Alec Bohm and Trea Turner
Both Alec Bohm Trea Turner showcased clutch performances last season that earned them All-Star nods and starting roles. Keep in mind Turner's numbers are impacted by his injury, but he still put up ample stats. If he remains healthy this season, his numbers should be revamped by playing a full season.
2024 Stats | Willy Adames | Trea Turner |
|---|---|---|
WAR | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Stolen Base | 21 | 19 |
wRC+ | 119 | 124 |
SLG | .462 | .469 |
OBP | .331 | .338 |
OPS+ | 118 | 124 |
2024 Stats | Matt Chapman | Alec Bohm |
|---|---|---|
WAR | 7.1 | 3.0 |
Stolen Bases | 15 | 5 |
RBI | 78 | 97 |
wRC+ | 121 | 118 |
OPS+ | 125 | 117 |
OBP | .328 | .332 |
Bohm's 2024 season was highlighted as his best in terms of offense and upgraded defense at third. In a head-to-head comparison with Chapman and Bohm, they both have offensive metrics that stand out and both rank higher in distinct categories such as WAR, stolen bases, and RBI. They also are close in some categories such as OPS+ (125 vs. 117), OBP (.328 vs. .332), and wRc+ (121 vs. 118).
Verdict
Do the Giants have the best shortstop-third base tandem in baseball?
That may come down to personal preference, but a quick glance at the stats proves what we already know: San Francisco will only go as far as Adames and Chapman can carry them in 2025.