The Twins and Marlins just finalized a trade that’s seemingly been in the works for weeks now.
The main pieces moving that you’ll know?
The reigning AL batting champion Luis Arraez is heading to the Marlins in exchange for starting pitcher Pablo Lopez.
Arraez is the first batting champ to be traded in the following offseason since Rod Carew in 1978.
For a little while now starting pitcher Pablo Lopez had been on the trade block.
Now looking back I don’t know what I’d do without Harrison Bader on my team.
I fucking love that guy.
Alright maybe “torn” is an exaggeration.
Sounds like Twitter to me!
Now let me tell you about Luis Arraez real quick.
When you’re crafting up a leadoff hitter it doesn’t get more ideal than Arraez.
Eye test wise he’s a fucking dream to have in your lineup setting the table.
He’s also not a good defender which doesn’t help his case with the nerds calculating his value.
Don’t tell them he had the same WAR as Rafael Defers (4.4) last year though.
Here’s a glance at where he ranks across the board.
His first half of last season was excellent posting a 2.86 ERA over 18 starts.
The second half was quite the opposite with a 4.97 ERA over 14 starts.
He slashed a so-so .250/.339/.723 between two A ball leagues in 2022.
All I’m trying to say is that I don’t see Minnesota robbing the Marlins of much here.
If anything it’s a win-win, solving both teams' issues.
That is assuming Meyer and Eder bounce back from their respective TJ surgeries.
To me adding Arraez helps them a lot more than keeping Lopez.
That doesn’t jump off the table if you ask me.
He fits what they need.
A top of the order presence who they don’t have to worry about paying.
Does he make the Marlins a bonafide playoff team?
No, but he definitely makes them better.
That dude is a nightmare to try and get out.
Can’t have enough of those players in your lineup.
Less power sure, but way, way more consistency.
Also this is kinda fire
P.S.
22.2 IP 39 hits 24 earned runs.
Now if you’re the Twins you know he’s not facing them anymore which is great news.
In theory maybe he’s a way better pitching in the AL Central than the NL East?
