Luis Arraez Landing Spots: Predicting 3 ideal fits for 3x batting champion amid trade rumors

Luis Arraez is arguably the best pure hitter in all of baseball. The infielder has won the batting title three years in a row, posting a .314 batting average or higher in five of his six MLB seasons. Despite his ability to rack up hits, Arraez has been traded three times in his career and could be on the verge of yet another move.

The San Diego Padres are reportedly looking to lower their payroll heading into 2025 with Luis Arraez being one of several veterans who could be on the move. The three-time All-Star is slated to make $13,700,000 in 2025 and become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.

The contract makes Arraez not only a prime trade candidate for the Padres, but also an intriguing trade target for several clubs.

There is no denying the impact that Arraez can have on a lineup with his ability to get one base, however, he does not provide much more than that. Depending on the team that acquires him, Arraez could be a game-changing rental that a team could let walk at the end of the season.

Here's a closer look at three potential landing spots for Luis Arraez on the trade market.

3 potential landing spots for Luis Arraez

#1. Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are desperate to improve both their infield and their offense. Arraez could solve both problems for the Mariners as his strengths help fill some of the team's biggest weaknesses. The M's finished 29th in team batting average in 2024 and it showed as the club struggled to score runs.

Arraez could be a valuable asset ahead of the team's stars such as Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena. The Padres infielder could be the optimal lead-off hitter for Seattle in 2025, while he may not be an elite source of stolen bases, the guy gets hits and that's what the Mariners need.

#2. New York Yankees

Another club that could benefit from a player with Luis Arraez's skillset is the New York Yankees. The team has done an admirable job replacing Juan Soto in the lineup by adding the likes of Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger.

By flipping some of their young talent, the Yankees could put an on-base star in front of their power-hitters, which could help stars like Aaron Judge put up even more impressive numbers.

#3. New York Mets

The New York Mets are on a mission to win their first World Series title since 1986. The club has been aggressively improving its roster this offseason, handing out the most expensive contract in MLB history by signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million deal.

The team cannot afford to leave any stone unturned when it comes to competing in 2025. The Mets still have some question marks about their infield heading into the new season and by landing Luis Arraez in a trade, they could add an elite bat ahead of Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. It would be unsurprising to see them make a move for the three-time batting champion.

Which team do you think best suits Luis Arraez? Where should he look to play next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.