Giants' Luis Arraez connected to AL West team to 'shore up' infield weakness

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The San Francisco Giants will be in sell mode at this year's trade deadline if they can not make dramatic improvements on the field.

That leaves players on expiring contracts as top names who could be switching uniforms in the next few months. One of those Giants is second baseman Luis Arraez.

ESPN's Jeff Passan linked the three-time batting champion to an AL West club that could use an additional infielder and leadoff man.

"Certainly getting back outfielder Wyatt Langford and shortstop Corey Seager -- both on rehab assignments at Double-A -- will help with the run-scoring mess. Even then, Arráez would cut into Texas' 23% strikeout rate as well as shore up a second-base position that hasn't been a strength," Passan wrote Thursday. "Even with Langford and Seager back and Ezequiel Duran playing well, the Rangers could slot Arráez at second or first base and lock him in atop the lineup."

Arraez is having another typical Luis Arraez season at the plate, batting .322 with just two home runs while rarely striking out or drawing walks.

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His defense at second base has been a pleasant surprise, as his nine outs above average (OAA) place him in the 99th percentile in the Majors. For his career, the three-time All-Star has regularly struggled with the glove.

Texas could stand to add more power, as its 60 home runs rank 20th in baseball.

But Arraez is another name that uniquely fits the roster, and the Giants and president of baseball operations Buster Posey will probably be open for business.