Luis Arraez has given the Giants plenty to think about, and not just because he’s been one of the bright spots in a rough season.
The All-Star second baseman is in the middle of trade chatter because of the simplest reason in baseball: he’s productive, and he’s on a one-year deal. That combination makes him an obvious candidate for a contender to target, while San Francisco could use the chance to bring back a real future piece if it decides to move him.
Arraez addressed the situation with reporters Monday in Philadelphia and didn’t hide where he stands. He said he doesn’t actually wanted to be traded. He also made it clear that if he does end up somewhere else, he wants that club to keep him at second base rather than shifting him to first base or designated hitter.
That preference tracks with how he’s played this season. Arraez had been viewed as a shaky defender before, but every metric has been kind to him at second base this year. The work he’s put in there has shown up, and it’s part of what makes him such an appealing player beyond the bat.
And the bat is still the headline. Arraez’s contact ability gives him a very specific kind of value, the sort that plays for teams looking to win right now.
The deadline comes in the first week of August, which leaves the Giants only a short window after the All-Star break to decide what to do. A move still feels likely, but Arraez has at least put his own wishes on the record before the market really heats up.
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