'I'm staying at second': Arraez not interested in position change if traded

PHILADELPHIA – Luis Arraez has no idea which team he’ll be playing for after the Trade Deadline, but he does know where he’ll be playing on the field: second base.

The four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion said Monday that while he understands there’s a chance the Giants will trade him before August 3, he has no interest in changing positions for a new team.

“This is a business, so whatever team wants to give me the opportunity to help, it's going to be at second base,” Arraez said. “I don't like to go back to first base; I prepared my mind, I prepared my body to only play second base.

“One hundred percent, I’m staying at second.”

During his eight-year career, Arraez has made 406 of his 759 starts at second, with 244 coming at first base, 118 as a designated hitter, 65 at third base, 41 in left field and three at shortstop. He was primarily a first baseman and DH with the Padres in 2024-25, but he was adamant about returning to second last winter as he talked to teams in free agency.

Arraez’s defense had been below average for most of his career, as he compiled a negative Outs Above Average in each of his first seven seasons. But the 29-year-old has been a revelation at second for the Giants this season, ranking in the 99th percentile with 10 Outs Above Average in 91 games.

Arraez is slashing .330/.369/.460 with four home runs and 35 RBIs this season, posting a 136 OPS+.

Trades are nothing new for Arraez, who was dealt from the Twins to the Marlins in January 2023, then from the Marlins to the Padres in May 2024. He became a free agent for the first time this past winter, inking a one-year, $12 million deal with the Giants.

“I just try to not look at it,” Arraez said of the trade rumors. “I just try to go there and play my game, try to be strong, especially right now. The last week, we played really good baseball as an organization, but I just need to stay focused. I don't want to think about trades.”

Arraez cited his relationships with teammates including Willy Adames, Heliot Ramos, Rafael Devers and fellow All-Star Logan Webb as the main reason the trade talk can be difficult. The Giants are 41-55 at the break, trailing the first-place Dodgers by 19 1/2 games in the NL West and facing a 10 1/2-game deficit in the Wild Card race.

“Those guys received me like family and they opened the door for me,” Arraez said. “It's hard to leave. It's hard to leave, but this is a business. … Whatever team wants to give me the opportunity to help, I’ll be listening.”