Six straight 20-20 seasons: ranking Randy Arozarena suitors from favorites to dark horses
Arozarena’s strong case
He produced the best offensive season of his career, batting .281 with a .381 on-base percentage and .484 slugging percentage. His 26 home runs, 79 RBIs and 26 steals accompanied an American League-best 113 runs scored; his 151 wRC+ ranked third among qualified position players.
Arozarena will be 32 when the 2027 season begins. That age, along with his recent production, could attract a broad field of teams.
Giants have means, questions
San Francisco has the financial capacity to pursue Arozarena and a clear opening for help in its outfield. His addition alongside Rafael Devers could strengthen the middle of the lineup.
But the Giants finished 65-97 and appear distant from contention. The article also questions whether Buster Posey would take on another long-term contract for a position player older than 30, given the team’s existing bad contracts.
Reds fit faces spending hurdle
Cincinnati’s lineup could benefit from Arozarena as an on-base presence ahead of Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. The Reds ranked 27th in runs and had the lowest on-base percentage in the majors, despite playing half their games at hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark.
The financial commitment could be the obstacle: signing Arozarena would likely require nine figures. The Reds have rarely shown a willingness to spend at that level, making the match difficult to picture.
Cubs and Braves weigh priorities
Chicago could need an outfielder if Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki depart as free agents. Arozarena is not as strong a fielder as Suzuki, but could offer a solid replacement in the middle of the order, and the Cubs have the money to pursue him.
The Cubs’ first priority is adding to their rotation, which could leave less room to sign Arozarena. Atlanta also needs dependable starting pitching behind Chris Sale, but its rotation ranked sixth in ERA this season despite concerns about the group on paper.
Key points
- Arozarena recorded at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in six consecutive seasons.
- His 113 runs led the American League, while his 151 wRC+ ranked third among qualified position players.
- The Reds offer a strong lineup fit but may not be willing to spend the likely nine-figure price.
- The Cubs could pursue Arozarena, but improving their rotation comes first.