Brewers, Willy Adames avoid arbitration by agreeing to a $12.25 million contract for 2024

Willy Adames headlined a series of players to agree to a deal and avoid arbitration with the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of Thursday's agreement deadline.

According to multiple reports, the shortstop settled with the Brewers at $12.25 million for the 2024 season, which is his final year under team control.

Adames gets a raise of $3.55 million after a year in which he batted .217 with a .310 on-base percentage, .407 slugging percentage and 24 home runs in 149 games. It was a step back in production for Adames from 2022, when he set the franchise record for most homers by a shortstop and earned team MVP honors, but the 28-year-old is still projected to be one of the top players at his position in baseball in 2024.

First baseman Jake Bauers settled with the Brewers for $1.35 million, according to a source. The Brewers acquired Bauers from the New York Yankees earlier this off-season after he had a .693 OPS in 2023.

Reliever Bryse Wilson agreed to a $1,000,025 contract, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Wilson was named the winner of the Brewers' Unsung Hero Award last season after recording a 2.58 earned run average while filling a variety of roles in the bullpen.

With Hoby Milner settling already Wednesday for a reported $2.05 million, that leaves starting pitcher Corbin Burnes and relievers Devin Williams and Joel Payamps who have yet to agree.

The deadline for arbitration agreements was noon Thursday. At 7 p.m. sides must officially exchange desired 2024 salary figures, which an arbitration panel will select between if — and likely when — the case goes to a hearing.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers, Willy Adames avoid arbitration, agree to $12.25 million deal