The San Francisco Giants should make defense the deciding factor at second base if Marcelo Mayer and Casey Schmitt project to provide similar offensive value.

The Giants already had evidence that the position could become a meaningful source of run prevention. Luis Arraez recorded 11 outs above average at second base during his time with the club in 2026, before adding one more with the Philadelphia Phillies.

An Oct. 24 McCovey Chronicles review renewed attention to that improvement. For San Francisco, the useful offseason lesson involved how to evaluate the players competing to replace those innings.

The decision should account for the entire job, including what happens when the ball is put in play.

Arráez Supplied a Defensive Benchmark

San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill slides under San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez's tag.…