When the season ended, the early rumors had the San Diego Padres moving on from first baseman Luis Arraez. GM A.J. Preller was going go hunting for more power, and where else to find a big bat to go with right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado than at the other corner infield spot?
Not so fast. The conversation about big-money additions came to a screeching halt with the sudden retirement of manager Mike Shildt, and now the team is being put on the block.
That means Preller’s spending is likely to be reeled in, which could dictate a possible reunion with Arraez. The latest rumors have the Padres willing to meet with Arraez, which is a polite way of backtracking without having to issue an actual apology.
This move makes sense regardless. Arraez had a down year last year and still hit .289, and it feels insane that the Padres wouldn’t want a player like that back.
Yes, we know all the counter-arguments here. Arraez doesn’t hit for power, nor does he score a lot of runs. He doesn’t provide the kind of production you’d normally want from a corner infielder, but he’s an effective player who fits this lineup and this franchise. He may not walk a lot, but those base hits add up, and Arraez had 181 of them in a down year.
The Padres also need his production. Machado, Tatis and shortstop Xander Bogaerts all struggled offensively to varying degrees during the season, and having a player who can create traffic is essential. If Arraez regains his stroke this season, he could contend for a batting title.
Moreover, the money numbers make sense. Unlike most free agents, Arraez isn’t out to make a killing. He’s a “happy to be here” kind of player, and the latest money numbers have Arraez taking a two-year deal for $30 million. That’s close to a steal for a player who could contend for a batting title, and it’s as good as it’s going to get if Preller’s spending power is going to be limited as expected.
The variable here is that the Padres could have competition. He won’t draw a ton of interest, but there will be at least three or four other teams who are interested, especially those with a limited budget. The Padres should lock up Arraez quickly if his affection for San Diego is real, then set about the formidable task of fixing their rotation.