What would a hypothetical trade of Luis Arraez look like for the San Diego Padres?

MLB insider Jim Bowden recently published an article in The Athletic, which answered subscriber’s questions regarding trade hypotheticals.

The very last question featured as part of the mail-bag asked what it would take for the Seattle Mariners to acquire Luis Arraez from the San Diego Padres. The response might warrant a sigh of relief for some Padres fans. For others, it might spark up a thread of curiosity.

Bowden alluded to the fact that Seattle most probably would have to part with one of their three high-end starting pitchers in George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, or Bryce Miller.

Also, mentioning that the Padres would not trade Arraez unless it would make their Big League roster better in 2025. Because of San Diego’s lack of financial flexibility and no known set payroll number, some have wondered if the Padres would be willing to part with the now three-time batting champion since he’s due for a raise next season. Per FanGraphs, Arraez is set to make $14.6 million in 2025, as opposed to the $10.6 million he earned in 2024.

San Diego acquired Arraez on May 4 in a trade deadline-esque move that would send right-hander Woo-Suk Go and outfielders Dillon Head, Jakob Marsee, and Nathan Martorella to the Miami Marlins.

He’d go on to collect 200 hits on the season, capturing his third straight batting title with a .314 batting average and a National League All-Star selection. Keep in mind he accomplished all of this with a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Luis Arraez makes HITS-tory!

With a .314 average, Arraez leads the National League and will become the first player to win 3 straight batting crowns with 3 different teams 👏 pic.twitter.com/hQMW7AgsLu

— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2024

Arraez has vocally expressed interest in staying with San Diego in the long term. “If they want to sign me, I want to stay here. This is business. I understand the business. But I hope I stay here for a long time,” Arraez said to reporters during a media session.

Padres officials surely understand his value in the leadoff spot and the veteran leadership he brings to a clubhouse, but they would like to see Arraez make a few small changes in his approach that could see him walk at a higher rate and raise his on-base percentage.

Hypothetically, what kind of trade would net Luis Arraez to another club? Here are four trade scenarios to consider:

1. Seattle Mariners acquire: 1B Luis Arraez, OF Tirso Ornelas

Padres acquire: RHP George Kirby, OF Victor Robles

The Padres need obvious rotation help, and George Kirby is a solid answer. He pitched to a 3.53 ERA with 179 strikeouts in 191 innings pitched for Seattle in 2024. He would also come with a total of four years of club control, which would sustain San Diego’s rotation for a couple more seasons. Victor Robles would supply some much-needed outfield depth for the Friars after possibly losing Jurickson Profar to free agency.

For the Mariners, they need offensive help. Arraez would serve as a table-setter for the top half of Seattle’s lineup. After Tirso Orenelas’ outstanding 2024 in El Paso, he could compete for a spot in the Mariners’ big league roster in spring trading, considering they are looking to trade outfielder Mitch Haniger.

2. New York Yankees acquire: 1B Luis Arraez

Padres acquire: LHP Nestor Cortez, LHP Griffin Herring

Nestor Cortez finished the 2024 regular season by posting a 9-10 individual record and a 3.77 ERA for the Yankees. He was serviceable for New York and went on to give them 174.1 innings pitched this past year. Needless to say, the Padres could benefit from having a left-hander in the rotation. Left-handed pitching prospect Griffin Herring was drafted out of LSU in the 6th round of the 2024 draft. In his last collegiate season, he posted a 1.79 ERA in 50.1 innings pitched. He’d have plenty of time to develop under the Padres’ minor league system.

A Yankees lineup that features Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and potentially Juan Soto could use an elite contact hitter like Luis Arraez in the leadoff spot. All of that power needs runs to drive in. Arraez could plug into first base for New York if needed.

3. Baltimore Orioles acquire: 1B Luis Arraez

Padres acquire: OF Cedric Mullins

With a hole now in left field, the Padres could use a deal like this to acquire a starting outfielder. Heading into his last year of club control with the Orioles, Cedric Mullins is slated to make $8.4 million in 2025. Baltimore has explored trading him the last few seasons and would most likely be motivated to receive an elite contact hitter like Arraez in return for at least one season.

4. Toronto Blue Jays acquire: 1B Luis Arraez

Padres acquire: OF Daulton Varsho and a prospect

Acquiring Daulton Varsho for Luis Arraez would most likely cause at least a bit of outrage amongst the Friar Faithful.

Varsho, 28, is coming off a disappointing 2024, where he slashed .214/.293/.407. He connected for 18 homers on the season and played in 136 games. He did secure a Rawlings Gold Glove Award after he led all Major League outfielders with a +17 fielding run value and was tied for fifth place amongst all defenders with +16 outs above average. Left-field solutions for 2025 should definitively be a priority for San Diego, and Varsho is an option.

Armando Dueñas Jr.

Armando Duenas is a 24 year-old aspiring journalist. He is a native San Diegan who grew up in the South Bay area. A lifelong Padres fan and baseball enthusiast, he resides just about fifteen minutes from PETCO Park, where his love of the game began.