MLB Trade Rumors: Giants & Padres Projected For Notable Trade

The San Francisco Giants have the second-worst record and the second-worst run differential in the National League. The only thing saving them from total and utter basement-dwelling is the Colorado Rockies.

Recently, insider Bob Nightengale reported that the Giants, whom he calls, "the Worst Team Money Can Buy", are trying to unload some of their biggest contracts. That would include the $225M remaining for Rafael Devers, the $161M remaining on Willy Adames's deal, and the $125M left for Matt Chapman.

But no team in their right mind would take on those contracts.

Thus, as suggested by Zachary Rymer in Bleacher Report, the Giants will have to settle for peddling the one-year, $12 million contract of Luis Arraez.

The three-time batting champion uncharacteristically dropped below .300 last season with the San Diego Padres for the first time in five years (though he still hit .292), but he's back with a vengeance this year, batting .325 with a .366 on-base and a .798 OPS.

The Giants no longer need him if they're not contending.

But you know who does? Those same Padres, who are in contention, and they have a need in their lineup.

Why a trade of Arraez back to the Padres from the Giants makes sense for all

Rymer projects a trade of Arraez back to the Padres.

The Friars have had to shift Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base on a full-time basis of late, due to need. But with that, Nick Castellanos has been pressed into more action in right field. That's a no-win situation on a couple of fronts: it takes Tatis's Gold Glove out of RF, and puts a well below average fielder out there, and one, in Castellanos, who is hitting .186.

Getting Arraez back, to play second (he played mainly 1B for them in his nearly two seasons there in 2024 and 2025), would fill a need, and let Tatis go back to right.

It's a move that makes sense, we'll see if the Giants & Padres come to the same conclusion.