The San Diego Padres acquired champion Venezuelan bat Luis Ares in a trade with the Miami Marlins this Friday night, who received four players in the transaction, ESPN's Jeff Basson reported.
The Fish declined to extend a contract to the Venezuelan, deciding to trade him to the National League West and acquire Dillon Head and Jacob Marcy, reliever Woo-Suk Ko and first baseman Nathan Martorella.
The @parents The Marlins are said to be finalizing a trade to acquire 2B Luis Ares, according to multiple reports, including https://t.co/Z3s2EphcSHs @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/U6vvUKfwPc
-MLB (@MLB) May 4, 2024
Add the man who was the American League batting champion in 2022 with the Minnesota Twins (.316 average) and 2023 with the Miami Marlins (.354) as the Padres look to battle the Los Angeles Dodgers in the coming years.
This campaign, the Venezuelan pitcher and first baseman is hitting .299/.347/.372 with 8 doubles, one triple and five RBIs in 33 games.
More hugs to Luis Ares. pic.twitter.com/VcOGCOIJmT
– Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) May 4, 2024
Arráez can serve as the designated hitter and alternate with Manny Machado, although Jake Cronenworth will be the first baseman and Xander Bogaerts will cover second base.
Ares is making $10.6 million this season and has one more year of control before hitting free agency in 2026, where he could receive a $100-$120 million contract, provided the Padres front office didn't let him sign a multi-year deal in the first place.
