MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins traded reigning American League batting champion Luis Arez to the Miami Marlins on Friday for a package of three players, including fellow Venezuelan Pablo Lopez.
Ares, 25, stood out last season with Minnesota, was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time, and hit a .316 average, best in the league. In doing so, Aaron prevented Judge from winning the batting triple crown.
The New York Yankees star led the AL in home runs and RBIs.
Arráez can perform at various levels. He spent most of last season at first base, starting 61 games at that position.
He was designated hitter 34 times and played second baseman 31 times. He occupies third base and left field.
In addition to getting starter Lopez, the Twins will acquire two prospects from the Marlins: infielder Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Sorio.
Salas was ranked as the fifth best prospect in Miami by MLB Pipeline.
The Marlins will restrict Arrays’ contract for at least three years. This is the first year of salary arbitration eligibility for Venezuela.
He was the only doubles player not to reach an agreement by the deadline that ended last week. It demanded 6.1 million dollars by 2023, while the club offered 5 million.
The Venezuelan player has impressed Minnesota fans with his tenacity and patience, where it is very difficult to get him out. He has struck out just 131 times in 1,569 at-bats.
He has only 14 home runs in four seasons, but his on-base percentage is .374.
Lopez would give the Twins more variation in a rotation that was already well-stocked but lacking a true ace. The 26-year-old pitcher had a 3.75 ERA in 32 starts last season, a career-high 180 innings.
The deal seems sensible for Miami, which has a solid rotation led by National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara and a brand new acquisition, right-hander Johnny Cueto.
The Marlins struggled with the bat last season, hitting .230 in 2022, and were looking to add another hitter to their lineup after signing four-baller Jean Segura from Philadelphia.
Ares would add a much-needed bat to the team, especially after Miami traded shortstop Miguel Rojas to the Dodgers.
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