Beware the contact high
Luis Arráez makes the Giants better and worse all at once.
The Giants just added a three-time All-Star and three-time batting champion to their lineup. They also added the worst defensive second baseman since 2019 to their infield.
If you had any doubts about the Giants’ identity, signing Luis Arráez for one year, $12 million makes it clear. Buster Posey is building his team around the offense. Their day-to-day odds of winning will depend on the bats, not (and I repeat: not) pitching and defense. And that’s still perplexing to me.
The Giants need better arms in the rotation and bullpen, not another infielder. But they’ve spent all offseason hell-bent on getting one.
The difference between Luis Arráez and Casey Schmitt for 162 games at second base is not the difference between making the playoffs and staying home. The difference between signing another pitcher and not? Different story.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to watch Arráez slash the ball around and chase .300. It’s been a minute since the Melky Cabrera era. But Arráez’s Baseball Savant profile (below) tells the story of who the Giants just signed: an elite contact hitter who’s also a bad baserunner and even worse fielder.
It’s a mixed bag, and come to think of it, so is 81-81.
Genius title!
Posey/Vitello need to be asked: what is the Giants Identity? Hold them firmly to it, unlike last year. Identity is not what the media/fans guesses it to be based on roster construction or 1 week or 1/2 season. You’re spot on Connor with your skepticism. It doesn’t make you a bad fan, you’re super smart. Fan of Posey, the player, but as POBO he’s erratic.
Best quality of Arràez is that he’s an energizer bunny like Adames, loved in clubhouse. BIG hugger. Throws his arm around opponents when they reach base. Will this be frowned upon by Posey? Trying to mold every player into his style will backfire. Different quirky personalities are needed, not cookie cutter.
Arràez defense is rough but he worked hard daily, so it’s not for lack of effort. It’s a puzzling signing if the infield defensive issues turn into the OF of last year
Padres podcaster Kyle Glaser said the Giants have the best SP rotation. He thinks it will come down to which team (Giants, D-Backs, Padres) plays cleaner baseball (fundamentals, less mental mistakes) for a WC spot. I think he’s right. If Vitello can improve that as fast as Shildt did, the Giants will be a dangerous team imho