Giants avoided arbitration with INF Joaquin Arias by agreeing to a one-year, $925,000 contract.

It's the midpoint between the figures that were exchanged earlier this month. Arias, 28, was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter after hitting .270/.304/.389 with a .693 OPS in 344 plate appearances last season.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy plans to play the red-hot Joaquin Arias more often.

Arias is sporting a major league-leading .429 average in August. "Left field is an option, as well as picking up his time at short. We'll go with the hot hand," said Bochy. Arias has played all of one career inning in the outfield, but Gregor Blanco is batting just .205/.330/.250 in the second half, so the Giants will give him a shot in left field.

Joaquin Arias drove home the eventual winning run on a fielder's choice in the Giants 2-1 victory over the Cubs on Saturday.

Arias finished the night 0-for-3, but his RBI was a crucial part of the Giants offense. He's seen the majority of his playing time at third base in the absence of Pablo Sandoval, but will likely get relegated back to bench duty upon Sandoval's return next week. He's not a consideration in any fantasy leagues at this point.