How Bryce Harper is boosting Luis Arraez's free agency stock with Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired second baseman Luis Arraez at the trade deadline to boost the club's offense. 

Arraez's much-improved defense, along with his bat-to-ball ability, has helped the Phillies go 20-8 since the deadline, the best record in the Majors during that span. 

Typically, manager Don Mattingly puts Bryce Harper ahead of Arraez in the lineup, a move that's paid off in recent weeks. 

FanSided's Mark Powell wrote Thursday that Philadelphia's current lineup construction is boosting Arraez's free agency stock. 

"Arraez is boosting his own value thanks to the work of the player batting in front of him, Bryce Harper," Powell wrote. "Since Arraez has joined the team, Harper's OPS has skyrocketed, proving Arraez's steady bat and ability to put the ball in play makes him great protection for a player like Bryce, who MLB pitchers typically throw around." 

If the Phillies would like to retain Arraez, they should have plenty of competition this offseason.

He's gone from one of the worst defenders in the sport to 12 outs above average at second base. 

MORE: Don Mattingly has uncertain future with Phillies in managerial job

"If Arraez leaves, he'll immediately be the target of a short-term, high-AAV deal. He's improved in every facet this season, including defensively, which was thought to be his one major weakness," Powell added. "If his range remains steady at second base, expect Arraez to be coveted by November." 

For now, the Phillies hope Arraez starts to heat up at the plate before the postseason. The four-time All-Star is batting .280 in 27 games, 44 points lower than his .324 average in 105 games with the Giants. 

The New York Yankees may view Arraez as a potential replacement for Jazz Chisholm Jr., who also reaches free agency after the season. 

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