Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez would bring elite contact skills to Chicago’s lineup — but his fit depends on what other moves the White Sox make this winter.
White Sox fans are desperate for movement this offseason — and after GM Chris Getz made it clear he expects to add over the winter, all eyes are on who might actually be coming to the South Side.
With free agency set to open just five days after the World Series wraps up, it’s the perfect time to evaluate which players truly align with what the White Sox are trying to build — and, maybe more importantly, what Jerry Reinsdorf is willing to spend.
In his latest Top 50 free agents column, Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed the Chicago White Sox as a potential fit for a handful of players — including veteran infielder Luis Arraez, a name that surprised more than a few people. The Padres, Athletics, Pirates, Rockies, and Angels were also mentioned as possible landing spots.
So how does a three-time batting champion fit into Chicago’s plans? What kind of player is Arraez — and what would he actually cost?
The Player
Luis Arraez is arguably the best pure contact hitter of this decade. He won three consecutive batting titles from 2022–2024, and even though his average dipped slightly in 2025, he still led the National League in hits.
His 2023 campaign, when he slashed .354 with 10 home runs, remains the highlight of his career — a season that earned him his second All-Star nod and second Silver Slugger Award.
Arraez will still be just 28 years old on Opening Day, turning 29 shortly after, meaning he’s entering what should be his prime years. For a player with a career .317 batting average over seven seasons, that’s impressive longevity and consistency.
The downside? There’s not much pop in the bat. His career-high is 10 home runs, and he’s totaled just 36 across his career. Still, his .332 lifetime average against right-handed pitching offsets that lack of power — he’s the ultimate table-setter.
Defensively, however, Arraez is below average at every position he’s played. His value comes entirely from what he does in the batter’s box.
The Contract
According to Spotrac, Arraez’s market value sits around five years and $70 million — roughly $14 million annually. Bowden, however, projects he might take a shorter deal — something like two years, $30 million — to stay flexible and hit free agency again while still in his prime.
Both of those figures fall within the White Sox’s financial reach. After all, Reinsdorf already handed Andrew Benintendi $75 million over five years, and Arraez has a much stronger offensive résumé.
If Arraez is open to a short-term deal, that could dramatically improve Chicago’s chances of staying in the mix.
The Fit
This one’s tricky. On one hand, Arraez provides a reliable, professional bat at the top of the lineup — the type of contact-first presence that Chicago had with Tim Anderson once. He’d raise the floor of this offense immediately.
If the Sox liked what Chase Meidroth and Mike Tauchman brought to the table in 2025, they’d love what Arraez could do in 2026 and beyond.
But positionally, there’s a logjam. Second base is currently covered by Meidroth, with prospects Jacob Gonzalez and Sam Antonacci not far from making their MLB debuts.
Arraez would likely have to shift to first base, which is wide open right now and probably a better home at this stage in his career. That could work — but it’s hard to get excited about a first baseman who doesn’t hit for power, even if he’s a .300+ hitter who squares up baseballs consistently.
On a team already short on power, using a corner infield spot for a singles hitter might only limit the offensive ceiling further.
The Verdict
Signing Arraez would make sense — but only as a complementary move. If the White Sox were to pair him with a legitimate power bat like Trent Grisham or even swing big for a Kyle Schwarber-type, then sure, bring him in and let him rake atop the order.
30+ home runs from Grisham, 30+ from Colson Montgomery, and getting close to 20 home runs from Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi, Miguel Vargas, and others would give Chicago plenty of pop.
But if Arraez is the headline move of the winter? That would be underwhelming. He’s a fun player, one worth rooting for, and there’s no denying the value of putting the ball in play — but this roster needs impact, not just insurance.
If Chicago can land him on a two-year deal, there’d be nothing to complain about. But this doesn’t feel like a slam-dunk fit — and, frankly, it’s probably unlikely to happen.