MLB Free Agency Rumors: Top 3 Landing Spots for Luis Arraez

As a three-time batting champion, it shouldn't be this difficult for Luis Arraez to find a fit in free agency. But between his lack of power, lack of speed, and defensive deficiencies, teams aren't racing to sign the one-trick pony.

With the San Diego Padres, Arraez led the National League in hits this past year, with 181, while batting .292 with an unremarkable .327 on-base percentage, and a .719 OPS that translated to a less-than-league-average 99 OPS+.

The 28-year-old won the batting title for three straight years for three different teams from 2022 through 2024, hitting .316 with the Minnesota Twins, .354 for the Miami Marlins, and then .314 for Miami and San Diego.

On the diamond, he can play first, second and third base, though 1B is the only position that his limited fielding abilities don't hurt a team. He regularly ranks poorly in Outs Above Average (OAA) and Defensive Runs Saved (DRS).

Teams don't put a ton of value on Arraez because 'hitting singles isn't that valuable'

ESPN's David Schoenfield explains why major league clubs aren't in a bidding war to secure a three-time batting champ.

"It's not a matter of teams not appreciating his skill (he never strikes out), it's that his skill -- hitting singles -- isn't that valuable... First basemen who hit eight home runs a year aren't going to get paid."

Pundits around baseball have named the top 3 landing spots that make the most sense for Arraez in free agency:

Tampa Bay Rays

MLB Network's Adnan Virk picks the Rays. "They could use a little bit of hitting... they got rid of Brandon Lowe... All (Arraez) does is hit."

In his seven years in the majors, he has an active-player best .317 career average, with a .777 OPS and 115 OPS+.

LA Dodgers

Another MLB Network analyst, Harold Reynolds, picks the Dodgers as an Arraez suitor. "It's a fit. Play second base for the Dodgers." And while it's true that the two-time World Series champs do have an opening at second, the poor defense Arraez provides at the position may scare the Dodgers off. Reynolds, a former second baseman himself, should know better.

San Diego Padres

Schoenfield says that the Padres "still seem like the best fit -- at the right price." Billy Heyen of The Sporting News echoes that, suggesting that with their opening at first base, the Padres make the most sense. Arraez started 117 games at first for them in 2025, while DH'ing 29 times and playing 2B 14 times.