Luis Arraez has done more than just fit in with the Phillies since arriving at the trade deadline. He may also be helping reshape the market around his next contract.
Philadelphia brought in the second baseman to add punch to the lineup, and the move has already paid off in the standings. The Phillies have gone 20-8 since the deadline, the best record in the Majors over that stretch, with Arraez’s improved defense and familiar bat-to-ball skills playing a role.
One of the biggest reasons his stock is rising has everything to do with who is hitting behind him. Manager Don Mattingly has typically slotted Bryce Harper ahead of Arraez, and that pairing has worked out well for the Phillies. FanSided’s Mark Powell wrote Thursday that the lineup setup is helping Arraez as much as it is helping the team.
"Arraez is boosting his own value thanks to the work of the player batting in front of him, Bryce Harper," Powell wrote. "Since Arraez has joined the team, Harper's OPS has skyrocketed, proving Arraez's steady bat and ability to put the ball in play makes him great protection for a player like Bryce, who MLB pitchers typically throw around."
That kind of production could make Arraez a very popular name once the offseason arrives. If Philadelphia decides not to keep him, Powell believes he’d quickly draw interest on the open market.
"If Arraez leaves, he'll immediately be the target of a short-term, high-AAV deal. He's improved in every facet this season, including defensively, which was thought to be his one major weakness," Powell added. "If his range remains steady at second base, expect Arraez to be coveted by November."
The defensive jump is part of what makes this season stand out. Arraez has gone from being considered one of the worst defenders in the sport to 12 outs above average at second base.
At the plate, though, the Phillies are still waiting for him to fully catch fire. The four-time All-Star is batting .280 in 27 games with Philadelphia, which is 44 points lower than his .324 average in 105 games with the Giants.
There could also be another team watching closely. The New York Yankees may see Arraez as a possible answer for Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is also set to hit free agency after the season.
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