Willy Adames stole the show at the Brewers' winter warm-up. As for recent extension talks: 'We haven't had any.'

The line at the bar, a mass of humanity lined rows deep all hoping for Willy Adames, holding court as bartender, to pour them a drink, said it all.

But if there was still any question lingering, the Milwaukee Brewers shortstop made absolutely sure to leave no doubt: he sees the support the city has given him and would love to make it his longterm home.

“I think I’ve said it before,” Adames said. “I’d love to stay. I love the city, I love the fans, I love playing here.”

Before Adames picked up the tab for the entire crowd at Dugout 54 for “Hot Stove and Cold Brews,” this year’s Brewers’ winter fan event, the topic of a contract extension arose with the 27-year-old when speaking with reporters.

Adames has two years remaining of team control before hitting free agency following the 2024 season. He has become a fan favorite since arriving in Milwaukee in May of 2021 following a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, his smile captivating audiences both at home and at the park and his love for the game rubbing off on his teammates.

Of perhaps greater importance, he has produced at a high rate since his first day with the Brewers. Since the trade, Adames ranks seventh among major-league shortstops with 8.0 wins above replacement, higher than Corey Seager and in the same ballpark as Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson.

Those five players all received massive free-agent contracts over the past two off-seasons, totaling $1.28 billion with an average annual value of $28.5 million.

With a relatively barren shortstop free agent class next winter aside from Cleveland’s Amed Rosario, Adames in two seasons is arguably the next big name at the position slated to reach free agency. If he continues similar production to what he’s shown he’s capable of – he has a 118 OPS+ since 2020 paired with stellar defense – it’s not hard to imagine what kind of contract he would garner on the open market.

If he hits the open market, that is.

Fans are clamoring for an extension for Adames, as they also are with pitchers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff, both set to also hit free agency following 2024. Adames himself told MLB.com in November he had told then-president of baseball operations David Stearns he “obviously” wants to stay.

So it was attention-grabbing, then, that when asked if there was any update to give from extension talks from this off-season, what Adames answered.

“We haven’t had any conversations yet, but I’m always to listen to see what they have,” Adames said. “I love it here. I wish I could stay here.”

Would he like to start those conversations?

“I’m always open. I’m always open,” Adames responded. “I’m letting my agents handle that. I’m always open to talking. I’m willing to stay here. I want to stay here.”

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold, through a club spokesman, declined to comment on any talks or the potential lack thereof with Adames, citing standard team policy regarding player negotiations.

When brought up to Adames jokingly that the club’s general manager was within shouting range for contract discussions, the shortstop chuckled and – wisely – offered no comment. But this much, though, is a real possibility: the two sides striking up conversations during spring training or even after that point. Look at most extensions in recent franchise history and you will find they reached the finish line at some point during spring or relatively early on in the regular season.

If Adames chooses to wait out free agency, there is real potential he could command upwards of $200 million if his current production continues.

That’s a big if, however, relying on health and maintained performance over what is still an extended stretch of games.

The Brewers, assuming talks pick up, would come to the table presenting a case for Adames to sign on for the guaranteed money up front now as opposed to the potential payout later. Whether that number is satisfactory to Adames’ side to stay in Milwaukee long term – and, if not, if the two sides can find middle ground – remains the question.

But for the time being Wednesday, business could wait. Adames poured drinks, posed for selfies and signed autographs for the large contingent following his every move, then casually threw out that he hoped to follow up his franchise record-breaking season by socking 35 homers this time around.

For as much the crowd enjoyed every interaction with Adames, it was clear that he fed off them just as much, too.

“(Fans) don’t have the opportunity to hang out with us in the off-season so it’s always great to meet with them and spend time with them,” Adames said. “For us to have the opportunity to be with them in the off-season, it’s great. We were looking forward to this event and coming together and bringing in new faces, so I hope the fans like that.

“I’m loving it, too.”

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Willy Adames says winter extension talks with Brewers have been quiet