Why Bringing Back Luis Arraez Makes More Sense Than You'd Think

[Jkeady12]

I suggest that 30 GM's would disagree that Kody Clemons( and I love Cody) is the better player vs Arraaz. Now value for the $ is somewhat different story. 

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Arraez will cost more than Kody Clemens and he will have a better batting average too. He won't be better in the field, on the bases, and he doesn't produce as many runs. I like money and high batting averages but I prefer the Twins go with the better player, It isn't really close.

Arraez doesn’t have to be better than Kody Clemens to help the team. He has to be better than the combined efforts of  Ben Ross and Ryan Kreidler. They are currently likely to give that pair 300+ plate appearances. There’s also about 200 plate appearances for Royce Lewis that Arraez could take.

[arby58]

I’m a no on this. Arraez does one thing really well: he gets on base. He does the next thing - actually score runs - not nearly as well. He was tied for 102nd last year in runs scored with 67, and that is not an outlier for him. He rarely is anywhere near the top in MLBB runs scored.

Arraez is mostly a singles hitter who does not run well, and in his age 30 season next year, that isn’t going to change. Kody Clemens is a better fielder, baserunner, and power hitter than Arraez. He scored more runs (72) and had a similar WAR - and he makes a lot less than $16 million. Play him there and figure out other team needs with the saved $16 million.

[TNtwins85]

20 hours ago, Linus said:

Call me a cynic but I’m calling BS on the defensive metrics. We’ve seen previous examples where they ying-yang all over the place in a given year. Common sense tells you that it is near impossible to consistently rate a poor fielder over the course of years and suddenly he’s great. Did he get demonstrably quicker and faster?  Seems unlikely at age 29 and that’s what it would take for him to improve that much in such a short period of time. 

Also, the improvement may be real but the fact he has bad knees and is slow doesn’t help his case for more improvement or simply staying league average if the metrics are true.
 

I’m all for moving Clemens to 1B but you had better be replacing his spot at 2B with a better overall player who can stick. Can we stop with Arraez already. He doesn’t fit this team defensively or offensively. If you’re gonna upgrade 2B or 1B the guy better have the ability to hit 20 bombs a year or it’s a moot point in my opinion.

[Whitey333]

Bring Aaraez back.  Fans love him and he can hit.  Heaven forbid if the Twins ever did anything to please fans at all.  Dump Lewis, and finally quit relying on Buxton to any part of your "core"

[Major League Ready]

7 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

Clemens hit .239, Arraez hit .310.

The game isn’t all about power as a team like the Brewers shows.

I think that .239 was Clemens highest average and Arraez has hit .354! SO, why wouldn’t the Twins want to signa player that has hit .354 for a full major league season.

If he hits .354 again, it would be like adding in-his-prime Rod Carew (the .350, .359 and .364 seasons) to the batting order.

His approach to hitting is vastly superior to Lee and Clemens, who swing for the fences a lot and therefore make outs in so many key situations where if they just made contact, they could help win a game. Keaschall, I like a lot, but Arraez and Keaschall would be a significant improvement right away.

I’l be bitterly disappointed if the Twins don’t sign Arraez.

Batting average is a pretty meaningless stat by itself.  Arraez raked 154th in wRC+ last year.  He was not even that high (114th) in OBP.  Power matters and he does not have much which severely limits his upside.  He has to hit 350 to be as impactful   Over the past two years, his average is 301, his OBP is 336 and his wRC+ is slightly above average at 107.   We should be more concerned with what he is likely to do going forward than what he did in his best season ever. 

[terrydactyls]

I can't believe Arraez is only 29 years old.  It seems like he played in Minnesota 15-20 years ago!

[DJL44]

15 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Batting average is a pretty meaningless stat by itself.  Arraez raked 154th in wRC+ last year.  He was not even that high (114th) in OBP.  Power matters and he does not have much which severely limits his upside.  He has to hit 350 to be as impactful   Over the past two years, his average is 301, his OBP is 336 and his wRC+ is slightly above average at 107.   We should be more concerned with what he is likely to do going forward than what he did in his best season ever. 

Now do Ryan Kreidler

[PatG]

20 hours ago, MackMan said:

Well sadly, in today's game, contact hitters aren't as high demand. The market will dictate what is offered to him though. Especially considering his past injuries, he may not garner the amount he thinks he's worth. 

How many RBI's would J Bell have had if they had a "contact hitter" in front of him?

I still view RBI's as a good stat....

[PatG]

39 minutes ago, arby58 said:

I’m a no on this. Arraez does one thing really well: he gets on base. He does the next thing - actually score runs - not nearly as well. He was tied for 102nd last year in runs scored with 67, and that is not an outlier for him. He rarely is anywhere near the top in MLBB runs scored.

Arraez is mostly a singles hitter who does not run well, and in his age 30 season next year, that isn’t going to change. Kody Clemens is a better fielder, baserunner, and power hitter than Arraez. He scored more runs (72) and had a similar WAR - and he makes a lot less than $16 million. Play him there and figure out other team needs with the saved $16 million.

Like C Carter, Vikings; "All he does is catch touchdonws"........

[Major League Ready]

24 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Now do Ryan Kreidler

Kriedler was primarily an injury replacement for SS and CF so I don't know how Kriedler is relevant to this conversation.  Arraez is not playing in his place.  The basis of comparison should be can we find a more impactful player to replace 2B or 1B.

I would rather get Bauers or maybe even France.  Way more impactful bat and then I slide Houston in at SS mid-season with Culpepper going to 2B and Clemens playing the utility role which would be his best usage. 

[DJL44]

4 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Kriedler was primarily an injury replacement for SS and CF so I don't know how Kriedler is relevant to this conversation.  Arraez is not playing in his place.  The basis of comparison should be can we find a more impactful player to replace 2B or 1B.

Are you assuming the Twins infield will have perfect health in 2027? Kreidler is currently in line to get a ton of plate appearances.

This team needs more middle infield depth.

[killercarewoliva]

first I'm on a cell phone. excuse the pronunciation which seems to be Google taking over what I want to say. Houston, I'd love to see come up before the season is over. whoever plays short or second between Culpeper and Houston, whatever that makes it difficult to get Arraez in there or is it difficult to get Houston in there? people get hurt so there will be a place for all of them. maybe not 162 games for each. Arraez as I recall, was really looking forward to his next season in Minnesota and then he was sent to Miami for a player that's only going to be playing about 15% of the team's games. call me stupid. that's fine because we need those great starters but Arraez was the best hitter in baseball playing everyday. I ask why is he continually getting bumped around to different teams? probably not going to happen but I would really love to see this guy back with the twins and I think rod Carew would show up more often to the field just to see him hit. 2 years $20 million. sounds like crazy money but that's where I see the worth at today's market. I'm just thinking somebody will give him more than that and I don't think the twins will sign him for more than that. but let's hope I can be wrong and you guys near the stadium can just have a higher ticket price up to get in. a side topic would be someone hitting 239 and being up for the silver slugger award. there is a lot more value being placed in low average players but he did have I think 82 RBIs along with his 27 home runs and I love to see Clemens put one out. you know because he wasn't supposed to be a home run hitter and I know his mom and dad really love it. I love it! we all love it! but 239 at the plate is going to beat out potential 354 at the plate really?Ron Washington could teach and help his players so maybe Arraez did improve at second Base. clemmons at first Arraez first at second Culpeper who is maybe adequate and short. he did make some disappointing errors but he's okay there and he greatly improved at third base Brooks Lee. Ladies and gentlemen, can you imagine this young man being named after the greatest ever third baseman getting to grow up and play the major league level of third base himself? and the kid just has this great smile. he's just seemingly so happy out there. I would love to have had that on my Little League team. then Houston comes up and whoever is riding the bench will probably be deactivated. Culpeper can hit this could be one of the better Fielding and hitting infields in baseball. Go get Arraez.

[Major League Ready]

19 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Are you assuming the Twins infield will have perfect health in 2027? Kreidler is currently in line to get a ton of plate appearances.

This team needs more middle infield depth.

No.  I am not assuming they will have perfect health.  I am suggesting they can add a more impactful player that is a better long-term fit.  Arraez makes us better opening day but does not build a contender.  They need a bat with some thump and they need good up the middle defensive.  Arraez does nothing for those two needs.  Fitting Houston in should also be a consideration and retaining production from Clemens by putting him in his best role should also be considered. 

The logic of signing Arraez seems to be he would be better than Clemens.  I think the gain is very marginal.  Therefore, I would just keep Clemens at 2B until Houston comes up.  We could get a greater net gain spending the money elsewhere.  

Houston would really change the depth of this team because Culpepper becomes the back-up SS and Lee is the 3rd string SS.  Clemens is the back-up 2B and Keachall can play there in a pinch.  Kriedler becomes a versatile 26th man.

[DJL44]

6 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Fitting Houston in should also be a consideration

It shouldn’t be for 2027. If they need to fit someone in later they can trade someone else away. Count your chickens after they hatch.

[DJL44]

39 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Culpepper going to 2B

Why is it assumed that Culpepper will be immediately good at 2B after receiving no reps there in the minors? The scouts think he’s a 3B if he can’t handle SS. 2B negates his strong arm while exposing him to the same range and double play demands as SS.

[Scott51104]

Sign Ron Washington

[Andy MacPhail]

I like Arraez. there is no active player's ABs I'd rather watch than Arraez. But that's the only attribute that I like about him. His BA is very good, but his OPS isn't outstanding, a stat which I put more stock in. He can't run & has very little power, which is a bad combination. Arraez still doesn't have natural range although Washington taught him how to better position himself. I'd rather have the goose that lays the golden eggs than a golden egg. Meaning, I advocated to bring in Tori Hunter as Twins' manger because I'm sure he could have influenced his good friend, Washington (the goose that lays golden eggs) to join him, to revolutionize the INF (golden eggs). Washington may have risen some points of Arraez's defensive game but still it's not enough to make him any better than who we have, plus paying a premium. 

[bean5302]

With the way the roster is constructed, brining back Arraez doesn't make sense. Twins fans are "extra" when it comes to obsession with players that had more than one good season here. Get in one great season or a couple good or 4 straight, and the fan base starts screaming for the Twins HoF. It's kind of embarrassing.

Arraez will get a multi-year contract with the expectation he'll play 2B somewhere. Spotrac says 3yrs $54MM MLBTR predicts 3yrs $48MM. I think it's going to be higher than that, myself. Is Arraez going to be reliably better than other, young, cost controlled options the Twins have for 2B? Maybe, but maybe not. 2B is a spot the Twins have unlimited options since the team has forced numerous players around the diamond as they draw straws to see where they play. Most of the candidates are best suited to 2B.

It's just not a need.

[Major League Ready]

41 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Why is it assumed that Culpepper will be immediately good at 2B after receiving no reps there in the minors? The scouts think he’s a 3B if he can’t handle SS. 2B negates his strong arm while exposing him to the same range and double play demands as SS.

There are no guarantees, but I would bet he will be better there than Arraez and a better all-around player.  The combination of Culpepper at 2B, Houston at SS and a player like Bauer at 1B with Clemmens in a utility role is more productive end result than signing Arraez.  

[RpR]

16 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Buxton is still their best defensive outfielder, followed by Emmanuel Rodriguez. One of them should be in CF. Your alignment gives up 20+ extra runs on defense.

Buxton CF always; he hates being DH and his record proves that.

[RpR]

58 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

There are no guarantees, but I would bet he will be better there than Arraez and a better all-around player.  The combination of Culpepper at 2B, Houston at SS and a player like Bauer at 1B with Clemmens in a utility role is more productive end result than signing Arraez.  

So far, short examples, Culpepper is starting to look like, Keaschall, good bat, not much glove.

[bjorks]

The funny thing about all the comments is everyone is kinda right depending on how they believe you win a baseball game. The Brewers and Rays proved you can win with a mix of OBP, power, and "singles" hitters or you can attempt to win exclusively with the long ball. It just depends on the philosophy. 

[stringer bell]

On 11/6/2026 at 11:57 AM, Linus said:

Call me a cynic but I’m calling BS on the defensive metrics. We’ve seen previous examples where they ying-yang all over the place in a given year. Common sense tells you that it is near impossible to consistently rate a poor fielder over the course of years and suddenly he’s great. Did he get demonstrably quicker and faster?  Seems unlikely at age 29 and that’s what it would take for him to improve that much in such a short period of time. 

Defensive Runs Saved has Arraez at -4. and Statcast has his speed at 33rd percentile and arm strength at 25th percentile and somehow with 97th percentile range, I assume using the OAA in some way to measure that. Arraez was kept away from second base by three different teams. I just have a hard time believing that he will be a plus fielder at second base going forward with his limited tools.

One thing that has changed since leaving Minnesota is that Arraez seldom takes a walk. In his last three years, his BB%  has been 3.6, 5.0 and 5.2. He continues to be a net negative on the bases, so the only area where he is certain to be an asset is when he's hitting. With minimal power, he would have to get on a lot.

I've called Arraez a unicorn for a long time. He will hit .300, almost never strike out and get plenty of hits. I'm pretty skeptical that he will help in the field or on the bases, so in essence he is a specialist. Can the Twins afford that skill set at what I assume would be a premium price? 

Finally, Arraez has been surprisingly durable. I have thought he would be plagued by injuries, but he's not been disabled much. Will that continue into his 30s?

[Linus]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Defensive Runs Saved has Arraez at -4. and Statcast has his speed at 33rd percentile and arm strength at 25th percentile and somehow with 97th percentile range, I assume using the OAA in some way to measure that. Arraez was kept away from second base by three different teams. I just have a hard time believing that he will be a plus fielder at second base going forward with his limited tools.

One thing that has changed since leaving Minnesota is that Arraez seldom takes a walk. In his last three years, his BB%  has been 3.6, 5.0 and 5.2. He continues to be a net negative on the bases, so the only area where he is certain to be an asset is when he's hitting. With minimal power, he would have to get on a lot.

I've called Arraez a unicorn for a long time. He will hit .300, almost never strike out and get plenty of hits. I'm pretty skeptical that he will help in the field or on the bases, so in essence he is a specialist. Can the Twins afford that skill set at what I assume would be a premium price? 

Finally, Arraez has been surprisingly durable. I have thought he would be plagued by injuries, but he's not been disabled much. Will that continue into his 30s?

An Arraez at bat is really fun to watch. He’s really, really good at hitting singles. It’s crazy how few strikeouts and walks he has, it’s gotta be almost unprecedented. It’s just not enough. 

[arby58]

5 hours ago, PatG said:

Like C Carter, Vikings; "All he does is catch touchdonws"........

There’s a huge difference between hitting singles in baseball and catching touchdowns in football. If all Arraez does is score runs you would have a good analogy - sadly, he does not.

[arby58]

2 hours ago, bjorks said:

The funny thing about all the comments is everyone is kinda right depending on how they believe you win a baseball game. The Brewers and Rays proved you can win with a mix of OBP, power, and "singles" hitters or you can attempt to win exclusively with the long ball. It just depends on the philosophy. 

They both put a premium on speed and defense, and that not Arraez.

[nicksaviking]

I get the draw, but the Twins need legit, middle of the order bats, not another #2 hitter. I don’t think this is what the team should be spending money on.

[Greglw3]

8 hours ago, JBK said:

Luis Arraaz is the Rodney Dangerfield of MLB

Yes, Arraez went to a sports psychologist and he told him, "Luis, you’re a bad fielder and you don’t hit with enough power"

Arraez replied, "No, doc, I want a second opinion!"

The sports psychologist replied, "Okay, you’re ugly too!'

 

[Greglw3]

45 minutes ago, arby58 said:

They both put a premium on speed and defense, and that not Arraez.