The San Francisco Giants are going to have some decisions to make ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline on Aug. 3.

Without mincing words, the Giants are having a brutal year. Heading into Saturday’s slate of games, they have the fifth-worst record of the 30 clubs in Major League Baseball at 43-60.

Because of the disappointment the 2026 campaign has brought on San Francisco, there is a high chance the front office will be looking to move off not one, but several players at the deadline.

For weeks now, the Giants have had multiple names come up in trade rumors and speculation. Players such as Matt Chapman, Robbie Ray and others have been featured as potential assets to be moved, but the one who has arguably received the most chatter around their name has been second baseman Luis Arraez.

Recently, The Athletic’s MLB Staff arranged a list of players it believes will be wearing new uniforms following the MLB Trade Deadline. The staff emphasized that the list was not in order, but Arraez’s name came up first.

The reason is that Arraez may create a roadblock. It is odd to say that about a player who just received his fourth All-Star selection, but as it pertains to his role with the Giants, it is true.

The Athletic is so adamant on Arraez being moved that it claims that even if the Giants were cruising to a postseason spot in October under first-year manager Tony Vitello, Arraez's future with the organization beyond this season is difficult to imagine.

The Giants’ infield situation is crowded, and that is part of The Athletic’s reasoning and the roadblock theory in play. The idea is that Willy Adames — provided he stays on the roster past Aug. 3 himself — will move off shortstop sooner or later. 

Additionally, with Matt Chapman (possibly) remaining at third base, it leaves a question mark regarding the position of Casey Schmitt or rising prospect Gavin Kilen. For those reasons alone, Arraez becomes the odd man out.

The other part of this is that Arraez is only on a one-year deal, which means he will be a free agent within a little over two months unless the Giants pull off a herculean run to get to the playoffs. Because of his resume, Arraez will command a solid contract, and San Francisco won’t want to provide that if it already has a succession plan at his position.

Arraez is a fun player, and The Athletic acknowledges that the way he carries himself on the field is making fans of the team hopeful that he won’t be going anywhere. Unfortunately for the fans, they should prepare for the worst.

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