Why Luis Arráez Could Be the Contact Hitter the Giants Need
The San Francisco Giants head into the offseason with a clear to-do list, and near the top of that list is improving their offensive consistency. While pitching remains a priority, it’s hard to ignore how often this lineup struggled to simply put the ball in play-especially when it mattered most. That’s where a player like Luis Arráez becomes an intriguing option.
Arráez isn’t just a contact hitter-he’s the contact hitter in today’s game. A three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and three-time batting champion, he’s built his career around putting the bat on the ball with elite consistency. In a season where the Giants struck out far too often in clutch spots, Arráez’s skillset would bring a much-needed shift in offensive identity.
What Arráez Brings to the Table
Let’s start with the numbers. In 2025, Arráez played 154 games for the Padres and posted a .292/.327/.392 slash line with eight home runs and 61 RBIs.
Not quite the eye-popping numbers of his previous seasons, but here’s the stat that jumps off the page: he struck out just 21 times. In 154 games.
That kind of bat-to-ball skill is nearly extinct in today’s game, and it’s exactly what the Giants have been missing.
This isn’t a player who’s going to launch 30 home runs or steal 40 bags. But he’s the type of hitter who grinds out at-bats, puts pressure on defenses, and keeps innings alive. That’s a weapon-especially for a team that often found itself flailing in key moments last season.
The Fit in San Francisco
Now, Arráez isn’t a plug-and-play solution. He doesn’t bring much power, and his defensive versatility is limited.
In 2025, he spent most of his time at first base, though he’s logged innings at second in the past. That creates a bit of a puzzle for the Giants, who have to consider how he’d fit alongside players like Rafael Devers and top prospect Bryce Eldridge.
One scenario: Arráez could slot in as the designated hitter, with Devers handling first base. That keeps both bats in the lineup while minimizing defensive risk.
Another option would be to shift Arráez to second base-potentially moving on from someone like Casey Schmitt to make room-but that comes with defensive questions. Can Arráez hold up at second over a full season?
That’s a fair concern.
The Price Tag and the Payoff
Financially, Arráez isn’t going to break the bank. ESPN projects him to land a two-year, $17 million deal.
For a player with his track record and elite contact skills, that’s a manageable commitment. It’s not a perfect fit, but it’s the kind of move that aligns with what president of baseball operations Buster Posey has been preaching-more contact, fewer empty at-bats, and a lineup that can manufacture runs without relying solely on the long ball.
There’s also the intangible value of bringing in a hitter like Arráez. He changes the tempo of an offense.
He forces pitchers to work. And for a team that’s looked stagnant far too often in recent years, that kind of presence can be contagious.
Bottom Line
Luis Arráez isn’t a cure-all for the Giants’ offensive woes, but he checks a lot of boxes they’ve been trying to fill. He’s affordable, proven, and stylistically different from much of the current roster. If the Giants are serious about reshaping their offensive identity, this is the kind of move that nudges them in the right direction.
At the very least, they’d be striking out a whole lot less-and after the past few seasons, that alone would feel like progress.