​The San Francisco Giants find themselves near the bottom of Major League Baseball’s standings this season and are very likely to become sellers at the trade deadline. It has been widely reported that Luis Arraez is expected to be traded this summer, a development that makes sense given his one-year, $12 million contract. If he were signed long term, the breakout All-Star would be a prime keeper for the Giants, but the current reality suggests otherwise.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale emphasizes that the Giants must confront a harsh reality regarding Arraez amid the ongoing trade rumors and the possibility of a future extension. The likely outcome, according to Nightengale, is that Arraez will be dealt this summer. “While the Giants love having second baseman Luis Arraez, who’s willing to sign an extension, the cold-hearted truth is that they need to clear infield spots for Casey Schmitt and Bryce Eldridge, leaving Arraez out of the picture,” Nightengale notes. He also points out that the Giants already have six players earning more than $20 million this season.
The Giants’ path to keeping Arraez long-term appears limited. He becomes a free agent after the 2026 season, and if they don’t re-sign him, letting him leave in the off-season for nothing would be a significant missed opportunity. Beyond that, there isn’t a clear route for Arraez to remain with the Giants beyond 2026 on a long-term deal. The need for everyday at-bats for Casey Schmitt and Bryce Eldridge, coupled with the presence of other infield stars such as Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman, leaves little room for Arraez to anchor the infield in the long run.
Arraez’s standout season adds to the complexity. He’s posted a .332 batting average, an .834 OPS, and a 136 OPS+. He could command a substantial new contract on the open market after his impressive defensive performance and offensive production, further complicating any potential long-term fit with the Giants. While both the team and Arraez may prefer to keep their collaboration intact, the infield logjam and the Giants’ limited financial flexibility make a long-term deal for Arraez increasingly unlikely and a trade more plausible.
Nightengale describes this situation as a stark “cold-hearted truth” for the Giants: Arraez cannot realistically be part of their long-term plans. While painful, the conclusion supports a summer trade as being in the franchise’s best interests. The Giants may face a difficult decision, but moving Arraez now could open the door for Schmitt and Eldridge to take on everyday roles and help shape the team’s future.