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By Zach Pressnell
Contributing Sports Writer
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The San Diego Padres came into the offseason with a few big decisions to make. They don't have much money to spend in free agency, so it seems like they're bound to lose a few key pieces.
They've already lost Dylan Cease to the Toronto Blue Jays, but they retained Michael King. But veteran infielder Luis Arraez was still a free agent, as of Saturday.
Sports Illustrated's Will Laws and Nick Selbe predicted Arraez would bolt from San Diego and sign a deal with the Washington Nationals this winter.
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"Nobody else runs a strikeout rate like Arraez’s career 6.1%, and for a while, his singular approach was remarkably effective," Laws and Selbe wrote. "Arraez won three straight batting titles in three different uniforms from 2022 to ‘24, averaging 630 plate appearances with a 123 wRC+ during that span.
"That production took a big dip in ‘25, as Arraez put up career worsts with a .292 batting average and 104 wRC+. When the singles stop falling in, Arraez is left with a lot of empty calories, particularly when factoring in his defensive limitations. He seems like a good candidate to chase a one-year platform deal to get back on more solid footing for next winter."
Arraez is the best contact hitter in baseball. He'd likely be welcome in almost every lineup in baseball. The Nationals could make sense as they look to build a talented lineup around their young core.
Adding a high-average hitter like Arraez alongside the big bat of James Wood would benefit the Nationals going forward.
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