The San Diego Padres are in a tough spot this offseason. They’re one or two steps behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the loaded National League West, but they don’t have too much money to spend.
As a result, it’s hard to imagine the Padres taking big steps forward. In reality, they seem bound to move backwards ahead of next season.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted the Padres would lose infielder Luis Arraez to the Washington Nationals in free agency.
“Finding a logical landing spot for Luis Arraez is tricky given his unique profile as a contact-oriented player at a power-driven position, but he could be the perfect counterpoint to slugger James Wood, who struck out a staggering 221 times in 2025,” Reuter wrote. “Rumors continue to swirl about CJ Abrams as a potential trade candidate, and if a deal does get done before the start of the new season, defensive-minded Nasim Nuñez would be the top option to fill the void.”
Arraez would fit perfectly with the young and improving Nationals.
Washington has a lot of talent, but it doesn’t seem prepared for a postseason run yet. Adding a high-average hitter like Arraez at the top of the lineup would help set the tone much better. He would slot in above James Wood and company in the lineup in a position that allows him to set the table for the team’s biggest bats.
This move wouldn’t break the bank for Washington, which is what makes it such a realistic idea.
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