SF Giants have one roster move looming after reported Luis Arráez signing

It has been over a week since the SF Giants reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with three-time batting champion Luis Arráez. That deal still has not been finalized, but when it does, the Giants will need to make a corresponding roster move to create space.

SF Giants have one roster move looming after reported Luis Arráez signing

Giants fans know all too well that when a deal takes longer than expected to finalize, it could be due to an issue with the physical. However, that likely is not the case at all with Arráez.

With spring training right around the corner, teams are once again able to use the 60-day injured list. The Giants could transfer one of Randy Rodríguez or Jason Foley to the 60-day injured list, thereby opening up a spot on the 40-man roster.

This is one avenue for creating a roster vacancy. The Giants may want to hold onto these options for later in the spring. They have a handful of non-roster invitees who could position themselves for a spot on the Opening Day roster with a strong spring.

Not moving Rodríguez or Foley to the 60-day injured list until the end of spring training could give the club flexibility to reward more than one of their non-roster invites with a spot on the roster. Waiting until the end of spring training would also not have an impact on the 60-day clock. That clock begins on Opening Day, whether a team moves them to the 60-day injured list this week or waits until the end of spring training.

The Giants could also place a player on waivers. They likely will not make any deletions from their crop of catchers or infielders on the 40-man roster right now. The outfield depth chart has some soft spots, but some of those will play out in spring training.

Other than maybe Reiver Sanmartin, the rest of the pitchers on the 40-man roster seemingly have a good hold on a roster spot. They could designate someone like Tristan Beck, Keaton Winn, or José Buttó for assignment, but that feels unlikely. All three pitchers will be competing for a spot in the bullpen.

The addition of Luis Arráez gives the Giants more depth in the lineup. He is a tough out, and makes something happen each time he steps into the batter's box. That said, his power upside is extremely limited and he has graded out as one of the worst defenders since he made his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2019.