The San Francisco Giants made a splash by signing Luis Arraez, and while the move adds a proven bat to the lineup, it also sends ripples through the infield depth chart-most notably for Casey Schmitt.
Arraez is expected to take over as the everyday second baseman, which shifts the spotlight directly onto Schmitt and Christian Koss. Schmitt, who held down second base for much of last season and showed he could handle the position defensively, now looks ticketed for a utility role. Koss, meanwhile, is facing an uphill battle just to secure a bench spot.
Let’s be clear: Schmitt didn’t underperform. In fact, he proved himself as a capable defender across the infield and held his own when asked to start.
But Arraez brings something the Giants have been chasing-consistent offensive production. Even if Arraez’s defense isn’t going to win any Gold Gloves, his bat gives San Francisco a clear upgrade at the plate.
That said, there’s a case to be made for keeping Schmitt around. If Arraez struggles defensively to the point where he needs to shift over to first base or take on designated hitter duties, Schmitt becomes a valuable insurance policy. He’s already shown he can step in and handle second base without the team missing a beat.
But the Giants also have Christian Koss as a bench option, and that opens the door to a different kind of opportunity: using Schmitt as a trade chip.
With pitchers and catchers set to report soon, the bullpen remains one of the more unsettled areas on the roster. Schmitt could help address that. His natural position is third base, but with Matt Chapman entrenched at the hot corner, Schmitt’s path to regular playing time is blocked unless an injury opens the door.
That’s where the trade market comes into play. There are teams out there, particularly those in rebuild mode, who might be willing to take a chance on a young, versatile infielder like Schmitt.
A team like the Cardinals, who recently moved on from Nolan Arenado, could be a logical fit. A deal involving a reliever like JoJo Romero-who posted a 2.07 ERA over 65 innings last season-could make sense for both sides.
The Giants might need to include a mid-tier prospect to get it done, but the idea is sound: don’t let Schmitt’s value stagnate on the bench if he’s not going to be used.
Of course, Schmitt could still contribute in a smaller role-perhaps as a late-inning defensive replacement for Arraez. But if that’s the extent of his involvement, it’s fair to wonder whether the Giants are maximizing his potential-or his trade value.
Losing Schmitt wouldn’t be easy. He’s homegrown, versatile, and has shown flashes of being more than just a fill-in.
But after adding Arraez, the Giants have a chance to turn a roster surplus into a solution for another area of need. It’s a tough call, but one that could pay dividends if handled wisely.