Luis Arraez open to extension, but SF Giants likely to trade him instead

SEATTLE — Luis Arraez is familiar with the song and dance of the trade deadline.

Arraez has been traded twice in his career, bouncing from the Twins to the Marlins, then the Marlins to the Padres. In all likelihood, he’ll be on the move for a third time at this year’s Aug. 3 trade deadline.

The four-time All-Star is well aware of this reality. As his final days as Giants are winding down, he’s simply trying to control what he can.

“People talk about the trade deadline, but I don’t care,” Arraez said before the Giants’ 6-3 loss to the Mariners on Sunday. “If somebody trades for me, OK. But, I’ll be ready to play baseball.”

Arraez will unquestionably be one of the most sought-after position players at this year’s deadline.

The 29-year-old’s .326 batting average is the second in the majors. His .821 OPS would be his second-highest in a full season. He’s on pace to set career-highs in both doubles and steals, and his transformation into one of the best defenders in baseball has been one of the most surprising developments this season.

If Arraez is traded, as expected, the 29-year-old only wants to go to a team that would allow him to play second base. Arraez signed with the Giants because they were willing to let him play second base, and he’s become a legitimate Gold Glove-caliber defender thanks to his work with infield coach Ron Washington. Among all second basemen, Arraez ranks second in outs above average (+10) and fielding run value (+8).

“Second base,” Arraez said. “Only second base.”

That said, Arraez does not have a no-trade clause, meaning the Giants can trade him to any team regardless of where they’d play him. At the end of the day, though, San Francisco’s front office will be hunting for the best deal possible, especially one that can further bolster a farm system that recently added a draft class headlined by fourth overall pick Jackson Flora.

Arraez would be open to a contract extension with the Giants, but such a deal likely isn’t in the cards.

According to a source familiar with the matter, there have been no formal talks between Arraez and the organization about an extension. The Giants already have multiple long-term contracts on the books between Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee. Signing Arraez to a multi-year deal would create even less financial flexibility going forward.

“I just focus on my job, everything that I do,” Arraez said. “I just control what I can control. I come here and I work hard.”

While Arraez is accustomed to the madness of the deadline, this trade season will be the latest new experience for manager Tony Vitello.

Vitello was no stranger to college baseball’s transfer portal during his time as Tennessee’s head coach, but there was no mechanism for acquiring players midseason from different teams.

“It’s been a quick change for me. … It’s literally pro baseball, and everybody just seems to be a professional about, ‘This is now my new duty, this is now where I’m going, this is my next task, this is the way this works out,’” Vitello said. “It’s honestly a sense of relief. Whereas when you’re dealing with families and you’re dealing with kids and a smaller amount of coaches and some of those bonds that last there for a while, there’s a lot more emotion that’s tied to it.

“Again, that’s not completely non-existent at this level, but it’s pro baseball. There’s a business part to it, and I think it almost becomes a part of everyone’s routine of understanding everything that comes with it.”