As MLB training camps were getting ready to open in February, some free agents remained unsigned. One of these surprises was second baseman Luis Arraez. One of the better hitters, it was stunning how little interest there was in his market.
In the end, he signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. He was added to a lineup that had some question marks entering the season under first-year manager Tony Vitello.
Thirty-six games into the season, the Giants have won just 14 games. They are tied with the Colorado Rockies in the basement of the National League West. Not a position many envisioned when the season began.
There are likely to be some changes and trades at some point. That will leave the front office and Buster Posey with some tough decisions. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report listed one trade candidate from each team for the 2026 trade deadline. For San Francisco, it was a surprising name Miller listed.
San Francisco Giants Predicted To Trade Second Baseman Luis Arraez
When it gets closer to the trade deadline, teams are going to be looking for a second baseman with offensive production. It isn’t every season that a three-time batting champ potentially becomes available at the trade deadline. Arraez could be that player this summer.
“Put Robbie Ray ($23M, free agent this winter) prominently on the chopping block, too, if the Giants continue down the path to “Sell City.” However, Arraez is the three-time batting champ who would be a welcome addition to a lot of lineups. For instance, if the Royals end up buying, they’ve used three different second basemen, each of whom is hitting below .180 in that role. Arraez would be quite the band-aid solution there,” Miller wrote.
Arraez’s ability to keep his strikeout numbers low throughout his career has been impressive. In 133 at-bats this season, he has only struck out six times. He is slashing .316/.340/.398 with 11 RBIs. He has never been a player known for hitting home runs. Arraez doesn’t have one yet this season. His career-high was 10 with the Miami Marlins in 2023.
However, he is one of the better contact hitters and has seven doubles and two triples as part of his 42 hits this season to date.
San Francisco Giants Will Have Trade Options If Things Don’t Turn Around
There is still time for San Francisco to turn things around ahead of the deadline. However, they haven’t yet shown the ability to do it under Vitello. One bright spot this season has been Arraez, who plenty of teams would love to add for a stretch run.
As Miller mentioned, Ray is another trade candidate that the Giants could have. Teams have needs now for a second baseman, the Kansas City Royals included, and Arraez would be a plug-in addition who will be a free agent over the winter.
The Giants are one of a handful of teams stuck in the middle of nowhere in the first week of May. There is still time to turn things around, but if they don’t soon, then things could get interesting in the Bay Area.
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