Quick Read
- Luis Arraez agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.
- Arraez is a three-time batting champion with a career .317 batting average.
- He is known for elite contact hitting and had an MLB-low 3.1% strikeout rate in 2025.
- The Giants plan to use Arraez primarily at second base, a position they sought to upgrade.
- The deal is part of the Giants’ broader offseason strategy to enhance lineup contact and depth.
SAN FRANCISCO (Azat TV) – The San Francisco Giants have agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, a pivotal move that signals the team’s strategic commitment to bolstering its lineup with elite contact hitting. The deal, reported on February 1, 2026, is pending a successful physical, according to sources close to the negotiations, and is expected to position Arraez as the Giants’ primary second baseman.
Giants Secure Batting Champion Luis Arraez
The acquisition of Luis Arraez, 28, marks a significant offseason addition for the Giants, who have actively sought to upgrade their second base position. Arraez brings a career batting average of .317 over seven Major League Baseball seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, and San Diego Padres. He led the National League in hits in both 2024 and 2025 and boasts an impressive track record, securing batting titles in 2022 (.316), 2023 (.354), and 2024 (.314).
Last season with the Padres, the left-handed hitter recorded a .292 average with eight home runs, 61 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases over 154 games. His consistent ability to make contact and avoid strikeouts is a hallmark of his game, reflected in his MLB-lowest 3.1% strikeout rate among qualified hitters in 2025, as noted by MLB.com.
San Francisco’s Strategic Infield Reinforcement
The Giants’ pursuit of Arraez follows an offseason where the team explored various options for second base, including potential trades for Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs, and C.J. Abrams of the Washington Nationals. Ultimately, the focus shifted to Arraez, whose bat-to-ball skills align with the organizational philosophy under President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey.
Posey, himself a former National League batting champion, has prioritized players who excel in contact hitting. The Giants’ second basemen collectively posted a .617 OPS in 2025, which tied for 26th in the Majors, highlighting a clear need for offensive improvement at the position that Arraez is expected to address. He will join a projected infield that includes third baseman Matt Chapman, shortstop Willy Adames, and first baseman Rafael Devers, aiming to deepen the lineup for new manager Tony Vitello.
Addressing Contact and Defensive Considerations
While Arraez’s offensive prowess, particularly his contact ability, is undeniable, his game does come with certain considerations. Despite his high batting average, he lacks significant power, and his on-base percentage (career .363) is not substantially higher due to a low walk rate. In 2025, his OPS+ was 99, a career low and slightly below the league average, according to Chosun.com. His hard-hit rate (balls exiting at 95 mph or higher) was 16.7% last season, ranking lowest among qualified hitters.
Defensively, Arraez has recorded -35 Outs Above Average since 2023, making it the second-worst mark in MLB behind Abrams. While he primarily played first base with the Padres, the Giants intend to deploy him at second base, a position he hasn’t played full-time since 2023. To mitigate potential defensive shortcomings, the team may consider regularly utilizing Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss at the position, potentially shifting Schmitt into a super-utility role.
Arraez’s arrival also creates an intriguing dynamic with fellow contact-hitter Lee Jung-hoo, who joined the Giants earlier. Both players share similar batting styles, excelling in contact and rarely striking out, which could define a unique offensive identity for San Francisco.
Offseason Moves Reflect New Direction
The signing of Luis Arraez is part of a broader series of offseason moves by the Giants as they look to rebound from four consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance since their franchise-record 107 wins in 2021. In addition to Arraez, the team has also signed center fielder Harrison Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million contract. Pitching staff reinforcements include veteran starters Adrian Houser (two years, $22 million) and Tyler Mahle (one year, $10 million), alongside relievers Sam Hentges (one year, $1.4 million) and Jason Foley (one year, $2 million).
These acquisitions collectively underscore the Giants’ strategy to build a more balanced roster, emphasizing contact and on-base skills while shoring up both their offensive and pitching depth ahead of the 2026 season.
The Giants’ decision to invest in a contact-first player like Luis Arraez, despite his power limitations and defensive challenges, signals a deliberate strategic pivot under Buster Posey’s leadership, aiming to counter contemporary power-heavy offenses with a fundamentally different approach to run creation and lineup construction.