The market for Luis Arraez is starting to take shape, and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel thinks the Phillies free agent is in line for a deal that reflects just how much teams still value his game.
McDaniel is projecting Arraez to land a three-year, $54 million contract with an average annual value of $18 million. He also notes that Arraez is not eligible for the qualifying offer, which could make him even more appealing to teams looking for a contact-first bat without giving up draft capital.
“12. Luis Arraez, 2B...
Projected contract/QO: three years, $54 million (18 AAV), not eligible for QO,” McDaniel projects. “...
Some teams might be skeptical of his defensive improvement and/or not prioritizing this extreme type of hitter, but I think there will be plenty of demand.”
Arraez arrived in Philadelphia from the San Francisco Giants at the MLB trade deadline, and while the move did not turn into a major success story, he still put together a productive 2026 season overall. His defense was much better, and his offense stayed true to the contact-heavy profile that has defined him.
That style may not be the flashy kind that dominates today’s home run-driven game, but it still has a market. Teams across MLB continue to value hitters who put the ball in play, and Arraez’s profile fits that mold.
McDaniel’s read is that there will be “plenty of demand” for the 29-year-old second baseman, even if some clubs are hesitant about whether his defensive gains will hold or whether they want to build around that kind of hitter. He also says there should be “plenty of interest” around the league.
Arraez may not command top-of-the-market money, but a three-year deal worth $54 million is very much on the table. Whether that next contract comes from the Phillies or another team remains to be seen.
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