The Minnesota Twins made a shocking move on Friday, trading All-Star second baseman Luis Arráez to the Miami Marlins for right-hander Pablo Lopez.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal was the first to note the trade was likely to happen and ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirmed that the “deal is done.”
Trade news: All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez is going to the Miami Marlins and right-hander Pablo Lopez is headed to the Minnesota Twins, sources tell ESPN. Deal is done. Players are being informed right now. More are involved.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 20, 2023
Arráez, who signed with the Twins as an international free agent in 2013, made his Major League Baseball debut in 2019 and has blossomed into a strong hitter, winning the American League batting title in 2022 after hitting .316 with 50 walks and 43 strikeouts in 547 at-bats. The 25-year-old struck out in just 7.1% of his plate appearances, the lowest percentage of anyone in MLB in 2022. He was also named an All-Star and won the Silver Slugger Award last season.
The 26-year-old López went 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 174 strikeouts, and 52 unintentional walks in 180 innings (32 starts) last season. Just last week, he agreed to a one-year, $5.45 million contract with the Marlins, avoiding salary arbitration.
The move certainly shakes up things for both teams and garnered some strong reactions from the MLB world.
“I’m just going to assume everyone ripping the Twins here has never watched Pablo Lopez pitch,” said The Hammer’s Alex Moretto.
I'm just going to assume everyone ripping the Twins here has never watched Pablo Lopez pitch. https://t.co/Rf1qTZSqDJ
— Alex Moretto (@alexjmoretto) January 20, 2023
“The [Twins] just traded away their batting champion. Knew it was possible, bummer to see it,” said KSTP’s Alex Ausmus.
The #MNTwins just traded away their batting champion.
Knew it was possible, bummer to see it. https://t.co/6lEmtsJQqK
— Alec Ausmus (@A_TwiceKSTP) January 20, 2023
“Marlins damn well better be getting more than just Luis Arraez in return,” said Fish Stripes editor Ely Sussman.
Marlins damn well better be getting more than just Luis Arraez in return https://t.co/ABJ0WK80nb
— Ely Sussman (@RealEly) January 20, 2023
“I guess I can understand the logic to some extent, but man. I don’t know,” said SI.com’s Will Ragatz.
First reaction is I hate this move. Luis Arraez is so fun to watch and such a fun guy to root for, and Lopez is a good but not great starter.
I guess I can understand the logic to some extent, but man. I don't know. https://t.co/GsfQwA2aUo
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) January 20, 2023
