Luis Arraez (Image Source: Getty) San Diego has a number of important roster decisions ahead of them this offseason, and few loom larger than that of Luis Arraez. The three-time batting title winner arrived with expectations and showed elite contact skills right away, quickly becoming one of the most dependable hitters in the Padres’ order. But with flexibility, balance, and long-term planning as the focus, Arraez’s fate in San Diego is no longer guaranteed.The Padres’ most ambitious competition reconstruction plan, however, could involve the return of Perdomo, a role from which the organization hasn’t publicly stepped away but appears to be at least listening in. It could be through a trade, or letting him get to free agency, but at least Arraez is highly coveted around the league because of his unique knack for hitting above .300, and preventing a batting order from leaking at the top with his on-base skills.
Where the Padres stand with Luis Arraez this offseason
Luis Arraez, even if the Padres’ preference is to keep him, remains one of the more compelling position performers on the market this offseason. The issues with the roster revolve around that tension between financial flexibility and a desire to stay good in a tricky top half of the National League. That reality has prompted scenarios in which the front office would consider moving Arraez to rebalance the roster or recoup pitching depth.Arraez’s appeal is straightforward. He is an established contact hitter, a former batting champion, and hardly ever strikes out. In a league that is slowly learning to favour more power and swing-and-miss techniques, those talents bring a more precious quality. But he can make lineups tricky, especially for a team looking to squeeze as much value as possible out of every position, because his power and defensive versatility are both limited.
Top landing spots if Luis Arraez moves on from San Diego
Should the Padres entertain trade offers or pass Luis Arraez onto the market via free agency, there are a few teams that seem to be a fit.One team that is always discussed as an option is the Cincinnati Reds. The power is there, but the OBP has been shaky, so Arraez would be a perfect table-setter for that lineup. His command of the strike zone would be a perfect match for their young core and their offensive balance.The Texas Rangers might also come into play as a top target. Texas needs a contact-first hitter like that to pull the lineup together and steady the top of the order, and the offense alone has been high on power already. Arraez would fit the bill for that approach, too.Another interesting option is the Cleveland Guardians, a team that has a history of valuing plate discipline and contact hitting. Arraez fits exactly into the Cleveland offense, which they use in part because of his offensive skills, and the addition of Arraez could push an already solid lineup to new heights.Sure, there have been some loose, speculation-related ties to the New York Yankees and other big-market teams, but any shakeup here would almost assuredly come down to financial flexibility and roster priorities moving forward. What is evident, however, is that there will be a wide array of interest in Luis Arraez if he is made available.