The Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins are making a late offseason trade involving an All-Star and a quality young pitcher.
The Twins are trading second baseman Luis Arráez to the Marlins for pitcher Pablo Lopez, according to multiple reports. Minnesota also reportedly will receive two prospects in the deal, including outfielder Jose Salas, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported. Salas, 19, is the Marlins’ No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Arráez, 25, has been one of the best contact hitters in the game since being called up to the big leagues in 2019. He has hit over .300 in three of his first four seasons, averaging .314 in his career and winning the American League bat. title in 2022. He also hit a career-high eight homers and 49 RBIs along with a .375 OBP and a .420 slugging percentage (.795 OPS) last year.
Lopez, 26, has been steady over the past few seasons. He has pitched under a 4.00 ERA in three consecutive years, including a career-best 3.07 ERA in 2021. The right-hander was 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA, along with 174 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.167 in 180 innings last season.
The exchange of figures to give Minnesota a more complete list. With Carlos Correa surprisingly re-signed in early January, Arráez became an asset the Twins could use to bolster their rotation.
The Marlins, meanwhile, had been in search of a difference-making bat all offseason, but hit free agency. After the recent signing of Johnny Cueto, López was indispensable in the midst of a young squad that was the club’s greatest strength.
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