The San Francisco Giants experienced a strange 2026 season. They entered the year with a combination of established veterans and young players, creating expectations of reaching the postseason.

Instead, San Francisco endured significant disappointment and finished fourth in the National League West, 35 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

By the trade deadline, it had become clear that the Giants needed to sell, even if that was not their preferred direction.

They traded Robbie Ray to the San Diego Padres, Heliot Ramos to the New York Yankees, and Tyler Mahle to the Atlanta Braves. San Francisco also sent Erik Miller and Carlos Gutierrez to the Boston Red Sox.

Among the players moved, veteran second baseman Luis Arraez makes the most sense as a potential reunion candidate for 2027.

The Giants traded Arraez to the Philadelphia Phillies, but a sprained left ankle prevented him from helping Philadelphia during the postseason.

Arraez remains one of MLB’s premier contact hitters. He has won three batting titles and completed the 2026 season with a .310 average in 151 games.

His lackluster defense at second base has been the primary reason he has moved between several teams throughout his career. However, Arraez performed well defensively during his time with San Francisco.

The Giants need a second baseman with more experience than Jonah Cox, who appeared in 62 games for them this season, and Marcelo Mayer.

Arraez could become a long-term option for president of baseball operations Buster Posey and the organization to consider when free agency begins.

Arraez will be 30 years old when the 2027 season starts and fits an obvious need. However, a reunion may not align with San Francisco’s financial plans because the team already owes considerable money to veteran players Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman and Willy Adames.

Nevertheless, Giants fans hoping to see Arraez return should not dismiss the possibility. Before the trade deadline, he expressed interest in signing a contract extension with San Francisco.

According to John Shea from The San Francisco Standard, Arraez appreciated that the organization gave him a significant opportunity to improve his defense.

He said he would love to return, although he remained focused on the ongoing season at the time. Arraez also indicated that he would be willing to listen if the Giants approached him about his future.

“Especially because this organization gave me a big opportunity to improve my defense. I would love to come back here," Arraez said.

“We’re still in the season, and I don’t think about that right now. But in the future, let’s see what happens. I’m open to listen to whatever they want to say to me,” Arraez expressed in July.

San Francisco has identified pitching improvement as its primary offseason objective, but Arraez remains a name worth monitoring when he returns to the free agent market.

Arraez’s approach would give the lineup something it otherwise lacks. Arraez controls the strike zone, consistently puts the ball in play and forces opposing defenses to complete plays instead of providing easy outs through strikeouts.

He would also bring stability to second base while Cox continues developing. Arraez already understands the organization and demonstrated that he could make defensive progress within its system.

A reunion would not require an adjustment period or uncertainty about his fit. The larger question is whether San Francisco can address its pitching needs while committing additional money to another veteran.

If the financial terms work, Arraez offers the Giants a familiar solution at an unsettled position.