TRADE Completed: AL Batting Champ Is On The Move

A stunning move as the American League batting champion has been dealt, with the Minnesota Twins sending All-Star Luis Arraez to the Miami Marlins for one of their cadre of starting pitchers, Pablo Lopez, as the centerpieces of the deal.

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

The Twins had made it clear they weren't interested in a one-for-one swap of Arraez for Lopez, so the Marlins will also be sending two prospects to the Twin Cities: Miami's No. 5 prospect, 19-year-old infielder Jose Salas, and OF Byron Chourio.

The #Marlins #Twins trade of Pablo Lopez, Jose Salas & Byron Chourio for Luis Arraez is a solid trade for both sides. Old school baseball trade. Twins add an important rotation piece and Fish get a high traffic top of the order table setter. Twins Ctl Lopez 2yrs Fish Arraez 3 yrs
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 20, 2023

Arraez was the only thing separating Aaron Judge from a Triple Crown last season, as he batted .316 to win the AL Batting Crown, to Judge's .311. Arraez posted a .375 on-base and a .795 OPS, with a 130 OPS+, 30% above league average.

The 25-year-old has hit no lower than .294 in his four big league seasons, but 2022 was his big breakthrough. He becomes the first batting champion to be traded since Rod Carew after the 1978 season—also by the Twins, ironically.

Luis Arraez would be the first batting title winner to be traded the offseason following since Rod Carew, from the Twins to the Angels after winning it in 1978

BASEBALL

h/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) January 20, 2023

Lopez has been on the trade block for a couple of years now, and almost got dealt at last year's trade deadline. He posted a 3.75 ERA in 2022, with a 1.17 WHIP and 174:53 K/BB ratio. He was even better in 20 starts in 2021, with a 3.07 ERA.

Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports