'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYGBgYHBgcICAcKCwoLCg8ODAwODxYQERAREBYiFRkVFRkVIh4kHhweJB42KiYmKjY+NDI0PkxERExfWl98fKf/2wBDAQYGBgYHBgcICAcKCwoLCg8ODAwODxYQERAREBYiFRkVFRkVIh4kHhweJB42KiYmKjY+NDI0PkxERExfWl98fKf/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAb/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAgZ4K/8QAIBAAAgEDBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhEDAQQFAAYSYRMUgf/aAAgBAQABPwDHQ7Tt8Zbc8hc+yZ1rMEcXSGgESXepCw3kNXMS5VTiJ/UOv//EABoRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECADEDERL/2gAIAQIBAT8AfHoDl2F1P//EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAEUH/2gAIAQMBAT8AKvJ//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One of the finest contact hitters in the sport, Luis Arraez has a huge offseason ahead of him, having entered free agency for the first time in his career.
With three All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger awards and three Batting Titles to his name, along with a .316 career batting average, Arraez brings a level of consistency at the plate few others can match.
Featuring on Tuesday's episode of the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast, insider Jared Sandler claimed Luis Arraez's potential acquisition could be an "interesting" proposition for the Texas Rangers, who could do nicely with the Venezuelan's skill set.
"I'm trying to process whether this is a fit or not for the Rangers, and I kind of think it is, depending on where he plays, and that's Luis Arraez," Sandler said. (25:36) "He doesn't walk a ton, but he doesn't strike out, and the Rangers don't have a lot of that bat-to-ball (ability). That was something that they lacked.
Trending
"I just don't know where you play him. Because they have Joc Pederson, they can't (play him) DH. I don't think you're trying to platoon him with Jake Burger at first, and I don't know if you want him to play second, defensively. If the Rangers made some other moves to clear a spot, he'd be an interesting one for the Rangers."
Valued at $2.45 billion via Forbes, the Texas Rangers are the twelfth-most valuable major league franchise.
"What he does so great just happens not to be valued the way it used to be" - insider claims Luis Arraez may fail to land big-money deal
Though Luis Arraez is one of the youngest free agents on the market, aged 28, and his batting stats speak for themselves, insider Jeff Passan is of the opinion that the infielder may fail to land a bumper contract.
In an article he published on November 18, Passan cited Arraez's defensive and power-hitting limitations as key factors that may deter franchises from breaking the bank to sign him.
"At 28 years old, Luis Arraez is one of the youngest players available," Passan wrote. "Coming into the 2025 season, he won three consecutive batting titles. And this year, he led the NL in hits. It sounds like the résumé of someone primed to cash in. Instead, teams can't help but see Arraez for everything he isn't. Like, a passable defender. Or a source of any power. Or even a halfway decent baserunner."
"In a game in which offense has been poisoned by the punchout, Arraez's ability is worth a lot. Just not enough, in the minds of executives, to warrant a big-money deal. Arraez is genuinely great at what he does. What he does so great just happens not to be valued the way it used to be."
Along with a possible reunion with the Padres, Arraez is currently linked to the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners.
