3-time batting champ could be perfect, if unlikely, SF Giants addition as DH

The SF Giants have a number of areas in which they can improve next season. Pitching is the most obvious one, but it would not hurt to add more hitters to the lineup who make regular contact which is why free agent Luis Arráez could make sense.

Arráez is a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and three-time batting champion. He is one of the premier contact hitters in today's game and he would be a welcome addition to a lineup that struck out far too much, especially in clutch situations, in 2025.

SF Giants should entertain adding high-contact hitter Luis Arráez

2025 was a bit of a down year for the left-handed hitter compared to his previous three seasons, but in 154 games with the San Diego Padres he slashed .292/.327/.392 with eight home runs and 61 runs driven in. He only struck out 21 times which would be a breath of fresh air for the Giants.

Of course, the problem with Arráez is that he does not hit for a ton of power and he is somewhat limited defensively so the Giants would have to be creative in the way they use him if they were to sign him. There is also the potential that he would block top prospect Bryce Eldridge.

Arráez primarily played first base for San Diego in 2025 but he has also played second base in the past. If the Giants were to add him, it would probably be wisest to use him as a designated hitter while having Rafael Devers play first base.

They could get creative and trade away Casey Schmitt and plug Arráez in at second base which would allow for Eldridge to take whatever spot between first base and DH that Devers is not occupying in the lineup, but it is questionable whether his defense would hold up at second.

Arráez is projected by ESPN to earn a two-year, $17 million contract which is not all that steep a price to pay. Sure, he is not a perfect fit and there is a case to be made that his high contact rate will not necessarily translate to more runs, but he would add more of what president of baseball operations Buster Posey is looking for in the lineup.

It is a unique free agent case, but the Giants should at least entertain the notion of adding him to the lineup. The team would at least strike out less which would be a nice change of pace after the last number of seasons.