The San Diego Padres are in the business of collecting All-Stars again.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Friday night the Padres are nearing a deal to land All-Star second baseman Luis Arráez from the Miami Marlins.
According to Passan’s report, San Diego would acquire the two-time batting champion in exchange for three prospects and a relief pitcher, adding the deal is expected to be finalized “soon.”
BREAKING: The San Diego Padres are nearing a deal to acquire second baseman Luis Arraez from the Miami Marlins for a package of three prospects and a relief pitcher, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. The trade is in medical review but is expected to be finalized soon.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 4, 2024
The deal came together quickly, given Arráez was originally listed in the starting lineup for the Marlins Friday night.
Oakland.
📺:@BallySportsFL, @BallyMarlins
👂:@MarlinsRadio, @FoxSports940
⏰: 9:40PM ET #MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/5iiZxDXAci— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) May 3, 2024
Unless the Padres are trading away several top-five prospects, it seems to be a good deal for them. Arráez, 27, is not eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season. He hit .354 last season and is a .324 lifetime hitter with a .801 OPS. He is a sub-par defender, however.
It’s a “win-now” type of move for the Padres. The team failed to make the playoffs in 2023, despite a star-studded lineup featuring Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatís Jr. Soto is now gone to the New York Yankees, of course, but Arráez brings a big bat and star power.
For the Marlins, who entered the day 9-24, the deal makes sense. They’re not going anywhere with Arráez, it’s best to start rebuilding for the future with prospects.
The MLB world had many different thoughts on the issue.
Luis Arraez likes to hit baseball pic.twitter.com/6MVWSkPCUd
— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) May 4, 2024
Wow @padres better deliver if they make this trade. Feels theyve just been stacking and stacking and can’t get over any sort of hump. As for the @Marlins , yikes we’re only in the first week of May, its going to be a long season with an empty park for them #MarlinsBeisbol #Padres https://t.co/sH4CwXY85v
— BostonArman (@BostonArman) May 4, 2024
A whole lot of positives about Arraez’s offensive game (see .354 AVG that led all MLB last year).
Defensively?
4 errors in 281 innings in 2024 along with an MLB *worst* -8 OAA and -6 Runs Prevented. https://t.co/JRf1idTF70
— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) May 4, 2024
Arraez is leading off, huh? https://t.co/8R32pbq6KJ
— The Chaos Ball Podcast (@ChaosBall1977) May 4, 2024
Marlins have one consistent hitter and all-star. And they just traded him. Not sure how they sell this one to fans. They just traded a guy who has won back-to-back batting titles. Good luck with that. https://t.co/fJklMQfqaz
— Will Manso (@WillManso) May 4, 2024
The #Padres have been wanting Luis for a while. The revolving door has begun. #Marlins again looking to the future. @ManOn2nd https://t.co/pHZmCuOvhR
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) May 4, 2024
I guess @Marlins fans will have to, once again, buy into a rebuild.
It may make baseball sense but does it make business sense?
Will they ever be able to recover with the fan base?
Is Jesus Luzardo next? https://t.co/BCmb4xATKn
— Julio Rebull (@JGRebull) May 4, 2024
[Jeff Passan on Twitter/X]
