Phillies Predicted to Lose Luis Arraez to NL Central Contender

As the Philadelphia Phillies prepare for the offseason, the team has a lot of work to do around the roster.

Philadelphia was eliminated early on in the playoffs again, sending the team back to the drawing board when it comes to winning a title. The Phillies have a nice core in place, but the group is aging, and there hasn't been a title to come from this era.

But the Phillies don't need to completely rebuild; instead, the team should be looking to retool a little. However, it remains to be seen how the front office will approach the offseason, especially with the impending lockout coming down the line.

One name for the Phillies that has been a big talking point is free agent Luis Arraez, who the team landed at the trade deadline this year. Arraez provided the Phillies with all sorts of offensive production once he arrived, but the veteran will be a free agent.

There have been mixed reports on whether Philadelphia would bring Arraez back this offseason, but the veteran remains an option. Arraez could have a strong market this offseason, which may push the Phillies to pass, allowing him to go elsewhere.

MLB analyst Paul Hembekides spoke with insider Buster Olney about free agent predictions heading into the offseason. Among these, Hembekides has predicted that the Phillies will lose Arraez to the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason.

With the Phillies, Arraez hit .278 with two home runs and 29 RBIs, while putting up an OPS of .678 over 49 games played. Arraez collected 46 hits during his time in Philadelphia as well, showing his worth.

While Arraez is predicted to leave the Phillies, the front office may want to try to keep him around. Arraez doesn't hit for power, but he does a lot of other things very well, including helping to lengthen this lineup.

Since he gets on bases and grabs hits, it can help extend a game for a team like the Phillies, which gives more at-bats to the power hitters. Arraez fit in well in the Philadelphia clubhouse, and the team should try to retain him this offseason.

The veteran is exactly the type of player that any team needs, and for the Phillies, he could make a major impact over the course of an entire year. While there are price concerns due to his production this season in Philadelphia and with the San Francisco Giants, the team should do what it takes to bring him back.