Former Giant Duffy gives a ringing endorsement to Adames’ signing, which originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – During three days at the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, Buster Posey heard almost exclusively from outsiders that he had found the right man.
Signed by Posey just before the start of the annual event, Willy Adames has as good a clubhouse reputation as anyone in the game, and Posey and Giants officials heard time and time again that the entire organization would benefit greatly from the new addition .
Some endorsements carry a little more weight, though, and on Wednesday night Posey got a pretty good one from a player who worked with both the new president of baseball operations and the new shortstop.
Adames became close with Matt Duffy when the two infielders were with the Tampa Bay Rays, and Duffy texted Posey on Wednesday to tell him how much he thought of Adames as a teammate. A day later, Duffy reiterated that the Giants were getting a great presence in the clubhouse.
“One of the few real game changers in the clubhouse I’ve played with,” Duffy said in a text message to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Duffy, who played with the Texas Rangers last season, said Adames keeps everyone on track even when times are tough and “understands the highs and lows of the game.” He “works hard and has fun while playing,” he added.
“Totally sincere,” Duffy said. “Just a happy kid who loves baseball.”
Posey probably wasn’t surprised to find out that Duffy and Adames are close, so much so that the new Giant was one of the few players at Duffy’s wedding a few years ago.
Duffy had a similar reputation as a clubhouse guy, and the trade that sent him to Tampa Bay in 2016 took a toll in the clubhouse. Some young players on that team felt that Duffy, then in his third year, was the one who linked them to the multi-ring veterans and blamed the trade for much of the collapse of the second half.
Duffy spent three seasons in Tampa Bay and was one of the team’s leaders when Adames broke through at shortstop in 2018. Adames came in two spots behind Duffy in his big league debut and they were teammates for two seasons.
“That’s my man,” Adames said with a smile at the news conference. “He loved this city. He always talked good about the city and that’s my husband. I call him ‘flaco’ because he’s not that crazy, but I love that man. He always says great things about this city, but I’m probably going to call him and tell him to recommend some places here.”
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