The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-yankees">New York Yankees</a> have spent much of the offseason in a holding pattern, waiting on clarity around <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cody-bellinger">Cody Bellinger</a> and the likely departure of Paul Goldschmidt. While the roster remains competitive on paper, the lack of decisive movement has fueled concern as time begins to work against New York.



Goldschmidt’s situation appears increasingly straightforward. Age, late-season regression, and market dynamics point toward an exit, leaving the Yankees with uncertainty at first base despite the emergence of Ben Rice in 2025. Internally, there is still hesitation about committing fully to Rice as an everyday option.



According to a recent prediction from Anthony McCarron of SNY, New York may already be eyeing a different solution—one that would fundamentally reshape its offensive profile by targeting three-time batting champion <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luis-arraez">Luis Arráez</a> as a replacement for Goldschmidt.



<h2>Is Arráez the right offensive pivot for New York?</h2>



Arráez has built his career on elite contact skills rather than power, offering a sharp contrast to the Yankees’ traditional, home-run-driven identity. In McCarron’s analysis, the logic is rooted in balance rather than fireworks. “It might be worth adding a little contact to the homer-happy Yankees,” McCarron wrote, noting Arráez’s three batting titles and consistent ability to lead his league in hits.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/13112125/arraez-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-561278"></figure><figcaption>Luis Arraez #4 of the Padres reacts during Game One of the NL Wild Card Series. Michael Reaves/Getty Images.</figcaption></figure>



That skill set could provide lineup stability, particularly if New York loses Bellinger’s production. Arráez’s value lies in keeping innings alive and forcing pitchers to work, a quality the Yankees have occasionally lacked in high-leverage moments.


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<h2>How would Arráez actually fit in the Yankees’ lineup?</h2>



Traditionally a leadoff hitter, Arráez may need to adapt in New York. The Yankees often prefer power at the top of the order, which could push Arráez into a lower lineup role focused on turning the order over rather than setting the tone.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6966718183cd5ad944865c69" data-title="Would signing Luis Arráez be the right move for the Yankees?" data-options="4"></div>


In 2025, Arráez played 156 games, hitting .292 with 181 hits, eight home runs, and a near-league-average OPS+. His profile is clear: when his batting average dips, his overall impact declines sharply due to limited slugging. If New York commits to contact over power, it could signal a subtle but meaningful shift—one that may define how this offense evolves in 2026.

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NY Yankees linked to 3-time batting champion as Paul Goldschmid replacement with Cody Bellinger's future unclear - Bolavip US

NY Yankees linked to 3-time batting champion as Goldschmid replacement with Bellinger's future unclear

miniaturas

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luis-arraez">Luis Arráez</a> had a strong season, posting impressive numbers that included 181 hits, 61 RBIs, and a .292 batting average. While his production helped the San Diego Padres reach the Wild Card, their run ended there, and now he and seven other teammates are officially free agents who could leave the organization.



One teammate whose future is uncertain before the 2026 season is reliever Robert Suárez. In his fourth season with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-diego-padres">Padres</a>, Suárez recorded 40 saves across 70 games but is not tied to the team as he holds a player option.



The list of potential departures isn’t limited to pitchers. It also includes Ryan O’Hearn, who could leave as a free agent, and catcher Elias Díaz, who played in 106 games this season, contributing 9 home runs and 52 hits with a .204 batting average.



List of Padres free agents:



<ul><li>Luis Arraez</li><li>Dylan Cease</li><li>Robert Suarez (player option)</li><li>Michael King (mutual option)</li><li>Wandy Peralta (player option)</li><li>Ramon Laureano (club option)</li><li>Elias Diaz (mutual option)</li><li>Ryan O’Hearn</li><li>Jose Iglesias</li><li>Nestor Cortes</li></ul>



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Mike Shildt shared his thoughts on how his team performed overall in this series, the called strike three against Xander Bogaerts, his bullpen usage and what went wrong with Yu Darvish: <a href="https://t.co/P0c3vMCMCv">pic.twitter.com/P0c3vMCMCv</a>— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) <a href="https://twitter.com/973TheFanSD/status/1973914236138238458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote></div> 



<h2>Six Relatively Good Years for the Padres</h2>



The last six seasons, which saw Luis Arráez and others contribute, have been relatively successful for the Padres. The team reached the playoffs four times during that span, including a run to the NLCS in 2022 where they fell to the Phillies. While the ultimate goal remains the World Series (last reached in 1998), the organization has enjoyed a significant run of competitiveness.



That competitiveness, however, made the recent elimination sting. “It s—,” Manny Machado said after being knocked out of the postseason. “For sure. It’s a position you don’t want to be in. We wanted to be holding up the trophy at the end of the year. It was our goal at the beginning of the season. We fell short.”



The focus now shifts to the offseason, awaiting the opening of negotiations between the Padres and the eight players who could depart or sign new contracts. It is likely that those who posted the best averages during the season will receive another opportunity from the team, unless they field better offers from rival clubs.


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Luis Arraez and seven Padres teammates could be gone after playoff exit

Luis Arraez and seven Padres teammates could be gone after playoff exit - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luis-arraez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luis Arraez</a> and the San Diego Padres are navigating a challenging MLB regular season, with the postseason as their primary objective. Arraez has emerged as a pivotal figure in the team’s pursuit, delivering performances so impactful that he recently achieved a milestone comparable to feats recorded by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s father and other MLB greats.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-diego-padres" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Padres</a> boast a solid 61-50 record this season. Despite the stiff competition in the National League West, where they trail the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres have capitalized on the San Francisco Giants’ recent struggles to strengthen their own playoff hopes.



Arraez has been a cornerstone of San Diego’s campaign this year. His consistent hitting has generated numerous scoring opportunities, and his statistics have earned him a place among <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLB</a>‘s elite since 1961. Arraez’s performance is a testament to his skill rather than mere fortune.



In 2025, his career stats have firmly positioned him alongside a select group of players who have amassed over 900 hits, 150 doubles, and a .315 batting average. This notable list includes hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Roberto Clemente, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, Wade Boggs, Tony Gwynn, and Todd Helton.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250803_BUS_459239_Luis-Arraez-2-1024x576_7ed2ff22.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Luis Arraez" class="wp-image-232537" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/27192147/Luis-Arraez-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/27192147/Luis-Arraez-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/27192147/Luis-Arraez-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/27192147/Luis-Arraez-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/27192147/Luis-Arraez-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres hits a double in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Arraez’s impactful 2025 season</h2>



In addition to joining this illustrious list alongside <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vladimir-guerrero-jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guerrero Jr</a>.’s father, Arraez’s contributions are vital as the Padres gear up for upcoming challenges. He is close to overtaking the top two National League batters in batting average.


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Manny Machado and Freddie Freeman are the only two National League players currently ahead of Arraez in batting average. With a .297 BA, Arraez is on the cusp of a .300+ season, which would be his seventh such campaign.



Arraez has also logged 20 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 41 RBIs, five stolen bases, a .333 OBP, and a 1.3 WAR. These stats underscore his critical role in the Padres’ victories and their aspirations for the postseason.



<h2>Approaching personal milestones</h2>



The Venezuelan standout has played 790 career games, amassing 972 hits. He is nearing a personal benchmark, potentially achieving three consecutive seasons with over 200 hits, a feat that could be instrumental in realizing the Padres’ postseason goals.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="688f7d6d9901c3ce28a46b60" data-title="Can Arraez lead the Padres to the postseason?" data-options="2"></div>

Luis Arraez reaches historic achievement recorded by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s father and other MLB legends

Padres' Luis Arraez achieves milestones comparable to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s father and other MLB legends - Bolavip US

Padres’ Luis Arraez achieves milestones comparable to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s father and other MLB legends

The San Diego Padres have encountered a rough start to the 2025 season, with multiple key players sidelined due to injuries. However, none were as concerning as the collision involving <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luis-arraez">Luis Arraez</a> during a high-stakes game against the Houston Astros. 



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb/video-luis-arraez-appears-hurt-in-collision-with-astros-player-exits-on-cart">Arraez collided</a> with Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubon while attempting to run out a bunt, an incident that left the Padres’ star player on a stretcher and sent him to a local hospital for further evaluation. 



Fortunately, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-diego-padres">Padres</a> manager Mike Shildt offered an encouraging update on Arraez‘s health. “He’s sore, as you would expect,” Shildt remarked during an appearance on the Starkville Podcast. “But nothing from a CT scan that’s alarming in the cervical area or the jaw line, because he got a little abrasion on his jaw. And cognitively, he’s alert, remembers what’s taken place, is testing positively to this point on anything relative to the concussion side of it.”



<h2>Impact on the Padres’ roster</h2>



While Arraez continues to recover, the three-time batting champion has been a steady contributor to the Padres’ lineup. This season, he is slashing .287/.330/.425 with three home runs, seven RBIs, and a .755 OPS. The earliest Arraez can return to play is April 29, when the Padres will take on the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-francisco-giants">San Francisco Giants</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250425_BUS_385205_Luis-Arraez-Padres-1024x576_c2009c08.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-385210" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/25085940/Luis-Arraez-Padres.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>&nbsp;Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 and Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres watch as Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres is loaded onto a cart after colliding with Mauricio Dubon in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Tatis Jr.’s emotional response to the collision</h2>



The collision also took an emotional toll on <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fernando-tatis-jr">Fernando Tatis Jr.</a>, who was visibly shaken by the incident. “It was just a sad moment, especially getting close to him and seeing him on the ground like that,” Tatis reflected after the game. “You definitely get scared. You almost are going to tears, but just sit down right next to him and you start praying for him right away.”


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<h2>Additional injury concerns for the Padres</h2>



Unfortunately, Arraez is not the only key player sidelined. The Padres have also had to contend with injuries to other important players, including Yu Darvish, Jake Cronenworth, and Jackson Merrill. Despite these setbacks, the team remains in a strong position, holding a 17-8 record and sitting atop the National League West division early in the 2025 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb">MLB</a> season.

Padres Manager Updates on Luis Arraez's Recovery After Collision with Dubon

Padres manager provides crucial update on Luis Arraez following frightening collision

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Padres manager provides crucial update on Luis Arraez following frightening collision - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luis-arraez">Luis Arraez</a> was attempting to help the Padres avoid a series sweep in their final game against the Astros. However, during one of his early at-bats, he suffered a hard collision with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-astros">Houston Astros</a>‘ Mauricio Dubón at first base.



While the Astros player was able to get to his feet, Arraez remained down. The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-diego-padres">Padres</a>‘ medical staff quickly attended to the Venezuelan, who had to be carted off the field. He did, however, manage to give a thumbs-up, indicating that he was okay despite the heavy impact so early in the game and at first base, where such incidents are relatively uncommon.



The Padres managed to win the game 3-2, a welcome relief to avoid being swept. However, the sight of Arraez’s brutal collision with Dubón was unsettling for everyone, especially considering the Friars’ designated hitter has already contributed three home runs this season.



<h2>What Happened to Luis Arraez After the Collision?</h2>



According to the latest report from the Padres, Arraez is currently in stable condition at Houston Hospital following the collision. He is reportedly fully conscious, responsive, and able to move all of his extremities, which is encouraging news.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Luis Arraez and Mauricio Dubón collide at 1B. Hope Arraez is okay. <a href="https://t.co/Fi9RSaXz68">pic.twitter.com/Fi9RSaXz68</a>— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken2) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarnHasSpoken2/status/1914096471517151402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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“Luis Arraez has been transported to Houston Methodist Hospital for further evaluation. He is currently stable, conscious, responsive, and able to move his extremities.”



<h2>Arraez Enjoying a Strong Start to the Season</h2>



Through his first 22 games with the Padres in 2025, Arraez has not only hit three home runs but has also contributed nine runs, seven RBIs, and 25 hits. He has been struck out only twice and is batting .287, placing him in a strong position early in the season. The focus now shifts to whether he can regain his momentum after the collision.

Video: Luis Arraez appears hurt in collision with Astros player, exits on cart

Video: Luis Arraez appears hurt in collision with Astros player, exits on cart - Bolavip US

Video: Luis Arraez appears hurt in collision with Astros player

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