The San Diego Padres need every win they can get this September. At 80-67, they trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by just 2.5 games in the NL West, but time is running out. While the team fights for a playoff spot, their $14 million star has become the target of angry fans who expected much more from their expensive investment.

Luis Arraez, the three-time batting champion who made history as the first player to win consecutive batting titles for three different teams, faces a harsh reality this season. His .282/.317/.385 Slash line represents a significant decline from his 2024 performance of .314/.346/.385. The drop-off has been stark enough that manager Mike Shildt benched him for Wednesday’s series finale against Cincinnati, a decision that speaks volumes about where the former batting king stands in the team’s immediate plans.

Arraez feels the anger from fans every day, and he won’t make excuses. “A lot of them are not happy with me but I’m human,” Arraez said, pain clear in his voice. “I work hard every day and try to do my job. I know the fans. know a lot of fans are frustrated.” The hurt runs deeper because this ends his streak – no fourth straight batting title, no more history-making moments that once made San Diego believe in him.

Free agency waits for Arraez after this season ends, just like teammates Dylan Cease, Michael King, Robert Suarez, and Ryan O’Hearn. His struggles have likely sealed his fate – the Padres won’t pay him to disappoint again, no matter how much he treasures this city. “The San Diego Padres mean a lot because they gave me a lot of opportunity, especially play here in the beautiful city and right to the beautiful fans,” Arraez said, his voice breaking with emotion. “The crowd here is every day full and I love San Diego. I hope I continue to do my job there and try to do something good for the fans because a lot of fans support me.”

In these trying times, another unexpected source has begun to cast doubts over the club’s championship hopes; indeed, the organization is trying to keep its playoff position, while its most dependable player begins to resemble a similar pattern of decline.

Padres Face Machado Slump During Critical Stretch

The team of the San Diego Padres has bigger issues. While Arraez deals with his own challenges, the Padres have their own set of trials in the way of a championship. The contenders remain contenders, now with some cracks beginning to show through unexpected avenues.

In fact, the furthest thing from bright is the downward spiral of Manny Machado, creating a late-season shadow to match the organization’s concerns. Since the 1st of August, Machado has been anemic at the plate, managing a mere .188 in 38 games. This is in complete contrast to the previous contests, wherein he enjoyed a robust .302 average over the course of 109 games. “It has not taken a professionally trained eye to notice that Machado is dragging at the plate and in the field,” Dennis Lin from The Athletic observed.

The veteran star’s decline extends beyond offensive numbers, with his once-elite defensive skills showing visible wear. “The veteran has consistently missed crushable pitches while continuing a gradual decline as a formerly transcendent defender,” Lin noted. Machado’s situation presents a familiar dilemma for championship-chasing teams: balancing immediate playoff needs against player health and long-term effectiveness.

Lin advocates for strategic rest, even suggesting the Padres bench their star during crucial series. “Machado has long been known to play through minor ailments and more significant injuries, but fatigue appears to be a larger factor at the moment,” he explained.

The recommendation reflects a harsh reality: sometimes stepping back becomes the only path forward, especially when October success depends on having healthy, productive players rather than exhausted shells of former greatness.