Pat Murphy says what Brewers fans have suspected all along about Willy Adames

Ever since arriving from the Tampa Bay Rays in a shocking mid-May trade in 2021, Willy Adames has endeared himself to the hearts of the Milwaukee Brewers and their fans. He's been a leader on and off the field as the Brewers shortstop these past few years.

Despite receiving trade interest the last couple of years, the Brewers held on to Adames because of that leadership and how important he was to the success of the team. Now that Adames has reached free agency and declined a qualifying offer, other teams are free to make long-term contract offers to him. The Brewers are just as free to make him an offer, but it's become quite clear that they won't be willing to compete for the kind of contract Adames will get.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy, who is fresh off his own Manager of the Year award, recently discussed Adames and the potential for a reunion between Milwaukee and their star shortstop.

Pat Murphy confirms that Willy Adames is only coming back to the Brewers if he strikes out elsewhere in free agency

The first words out of Pat Murphy's mouth when asked about wanting Willy Adames back were "I don't think it makes sense". He goes on to say that "if he comes back, that means he didn't the deal that he was looking for".

Adames is reportedly seeking a $200 million contract in free agency and he's highly likely to at least get $150 million as a floor for his next contract. That's the deal he's looking for, and that's a deal that the Brewers aren't going to be looking to sign on for, especially when they already have a replacement for him at the position on the roster.

Murphy goes on to compliment Adames and that'd he's a great guy to have on the team. Just because he's saying he doesn't think it makes sense to bring Adames back doesn't mean he doesn't want Adames or like Adames, but it's rather an honest reflection of reality.

There may be some Brewers fans out there holding on to hope that Adames will re-sign with Milwaukee, but even the manager is saying out loud that he doesn't see it happening unless Adames for some reason doesn't get the big contract he's looking for. We knew the only hope the Brewers had for a return was if Adames' market cratered and he'd be willing to accept a one year deal similar to the QO.

Murphy finished his answer saying he believes Adames will get the contract he's looking for. Therefore, it doesn't matter how much he or anyone else wants Adames back, he won't be coming back.

One of the things that makes Murphy himself so endearing is that he's a straight shooter and tells it like it is. He's only saying what just about every Brewers fan has already known about Adames, that he's as good as gone, the only way he comes back is if his market craters, and his market is unlikely to crater.