Like Tampa Bay, the Red Sox haven’t gotten much production from their second basemen this season. Marcelo Mayer was slashing .220/.282/.312 before an injury. Isiah Kiner-Falefa was solid before he, too, landed on the IL, but he’s better suited for a utility role. Boston could really use a boost to an offense that’s been well below league average throughout the season.
One complication regarding a target like Arraez is that Boston’s lineup is already left-handed heavy. That said, the Red Sox are actually one of baseball’s best offenses against left-handed pitching this season, while ranking among the league’s worst teams against right-handed arms. Arraez is still very good against lefties, but his .323 average and .816 OPS against right-handers are why this trade makes sense.
Between adding Arraez and slotting Anthony back in when he’s healthy, the Red Sox would gain a lot of production against right-handed pitching while not sacrificing much as one of MLB’s best hitting teams against southpaws.
Texas Rangers
The 2026 season has left a lot to be desired for the Texas Rangers. Despite that, they lead the American League West with a 51-51 record. If the Rangers want to get the edge over the Seattle Mariners for the remainder of the season, they will have to make a move that has a big impact. Arraez would provide that.
In 52 games, 27-year-old Justin Foscue has been an incredible revelation for the Rangers, playing second base for 33 of those contests. Texas also has infield players with flexibility. Foscue can play first and second base; Ezequiel Duran has played everywhere but catcher; and Nicky Lopez has played second, third, short and some outfield. They could easily find a place to put Luis Arraez.
Arraez himself can provide some positional flexibility, and the Rangers would likely be cycling players in and out around the field. The important part for Texas is adding a left-handed bat to the top of their lineup. Joc Pederson and Brandon Nimmo have been plus hitters for the club, but Arraez would be a better fit at leadoff than Pederson.
While it can be argued that the Rangers need to focus on adding to their pitching staff, an addition of Arraez to their lineup would give them a perfect left-handed bat to break up Josh Jung and Wyatt Langford in the lineup when they face right-handed starters.
The Rangers may not be a Luis Arraez away from getting back on top of the baseball world, but adding one of the best left-handed hitters available to the top of their lineup may give them the advantage over the Mariners as the teams remain in a dead heat.