PHOENIX — A lineup that already options Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth could also be getting even higher.
On Friday, a supply instructed MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Padres are finalizing a take care of the Marlins for two-time batting champion Luis Arraez. In line with MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, Miami will purchase right-handed reliever Woo-Suk Go and three prospects: outfielders Dillon Head and Jakob Marsee and first baseman/outfielder Nathan Martorella. The golf equipment haven’t confirmed the commerce, which ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported.
“It’s actually superb, the man is a baller,” Tatis mentioned following the Padres’ 7-1 win over the D-backs at Chase Subject on Friday evening. “The man might be the closest to Tony Gwynn that there’s proper now, so I’m trying ahead to seeing him within the lineup.
“Solely seven batting titles away [from passing Tony Gwynn],” Tatis mentioned with fun. “That why I mentioned the closest.”
Excessive reward, however not with out benefit.
The 27-year-old Arraez led the AL with a .316 common in 2022, then led the Majors with a .354 mark final season to develop into the second participant to win a batting title in consecutive seasons for various groups, based on the Elias Sports activities Bureau. No one has finished it for 3 groups in three seasons. Arraez is at present batting .299 with the Marlins.
He additionally turned the second participant within the Trendy Period to win a batting title in each the AL and NL and the primary to do it in back-to-back seasons.
Arraez was traded from the Twins to the Marlins in January 2023 for Pablo López and a pair of prospects in a deal that was primarily thought of a win-win, as López and Arraez each made their first All-Star group final season.
This deal would make Arraez the second multi-time batting champ to be traded midseason the yr after successful an extra title, becoming a member of Lefty O’Doul (1933).
Arraez’s bat-to-ball expertise are second to none. Since he debuted in 2019, he has recorded MLB’s solely three seasons by which a participant took a minimum of 500 swings and had a whiff fee decrease than eight p.c. That matches proper in with the Padres’ “get ‘em on and get ‘em in” philosophy, mixing on-base expertise with slug. Their 21 dwelling runs with males on base this season are tied for first within the NL with the Phillies and path solely the Yankees’ 22.
“You’re at all times in search of extra offense and to take care of a greater steadiness within the lineup,” mentioned Padres supervisor Mike Shildt.
Including Arraez would give the Padres one other bat who may play a number of positions. Since becoming a member of the Marlins, he’s performed primarily at second base however has 85 profession video games at first base, 79 at third and 48 in left area, although he hasn’t performed out of the infield since 2021.
He’d virtually actually play day-after-day with the Padres, probably in varied positions. He may very well be the first DH and shift to the infield each time the Padres give Machado, Bogaerts or Cronenworth a DH day.
That may reduce into Tyler Wade’s taking part in time, who entered Friday slashing .230/.329/.575. Wade has gotten 23 begins at third base when Machado slots in at DH, which was the case within the collection opener at Chase Subject.
Graham Pauley has additionally gotten eight begins this season, 4 at third and 4 at DH, however he’s seemed overmatched at instances. Including Arraez may make him the odd man out to make room on the 26-man roster.