Luis Arraez Weighing Multiple Offers, Wants To Play Second Base

"With Spring Training set to begin in just a couple of weeks, three-time batting champion Luis Arraez continues to linger on the market. Having played out his final arbitration year with the Padres, Arraez always figured to be an interesting case in free agency. His high contact and low strikeout rates earn him plenty of old-school fans. On the flip side, his lack of power, low walk rates, and defensive limitations make his value questionable from an analytics standpoint."

"The rumor mill has been extremely quiet on Arraez outside of the Padres' reported interest in a reunion back in November. Early last week, 75.17% of MLBTR readers predicted that he would settle for a one-year deal rather than hold out for a multi-year pact. Now, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that Arraez is weighing one-year and multi-year offers from clubs, with a priority of returning to playing second base."

"Defensive metrics have been largely negative on his glove at second. In 2,793 defensive innings there, Arraez has been worth -6 Defensive Runs Saved and -35 Outs Above Average. His most recent year as a regular second baseman was 2023 with the Marlins. In 1,124 innings that year, he was worth 4 DRS but -11 OAA. His glovework at the keystone was last seen positively by both metrics in 2022 (3 DRS and 1 OAA), but that was in just 277 2/3 innings."

Luis Arraez is a three-time batting champion entering free agency after playing his final arbitration year with the Padres. He combines exceptional contact and low strikeout rates with minimal power, low walk rates, and defensive limitations. Arraez has played every infield spot, primarily first and second base, with negative overall defensive metrics: -6 DRS and -35 OAA in 2,793 innings at second. Statcast rates his range and arm strength well-below-average. San Diego shifted him to first base in 2024, where DRS was 0 and OAA remained -11 over 1,517 2/3 innings. He is weighing one-year and multi-year offers and prefers to play second base.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors