All good things come to an end -- especially with the Twins -- and the Luis Arraez era is no different. Minnesota traded Arraez to the Miami Marlins, tearing a fan favorite away from Target Field but also taking an All-Star slugger out of the lineup as well.
Pablo Lopez was the key returning piece in the trade, and it was a deal that seemed inevitable to happen. All winter long, Lopez has been named in trade rumors and the Twins were always linked closely to him. Just this past week it seemed like a deal might be close but Arraez might not be enough to make it happen.
It turns out not only was Arraez enough to land Lopez but the Marlins also parted with two prospects as part of the trade.
The Twins full haul for Arraez was finally announced, and it's a lot better than initially expected. Losing a fan favorite is never an easy thing to digest, but Minnesota came out a clear early winner in the deal.
Twins Get | Marlins Get |
|---|---|
Pablo Lopez, SP | Luis Arraez, INF/DH |
Jose Salas, INF | |
Byron Chourio, OF |
Lopez is the main piece of the trade, as the Twins add what they hope will be a key piece of the rotation. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but should Lopez work out as everyone is hoping he will, he should form a powerful 1-2 punch with Joe Ryan in the postseason.
Here's a look at what the Twins starting rotation could look like in 2023:
Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
Pablo López (RHP) | 10-10, 3.75 ERA in 2022 |
Joe Ryan (RHP) | 13-8, 3.55 ERA in 2022 |
Sonny Gray (RHP) | 8-5, 3.08 ERA in 2022 |
Bailey Ober (RHP) | 2-3, 3.21 ERA in 2022 |
Tyler Mahle (RHP) | 6-8, 4.40 ERA in 2022 |
Keep in mind that Kenta Maeda and Chris Paddack didn't pitch last season and should be in line for bounce back seasons -- at least, that's the hope. Minnesota also has
Lopez wasn't the only sweet part of the Twins return package. Minnesota added to its farm system with 19-year-old infielder Jose Salas. He's a long way off from being a replacement for Arraez or having an immediate impact, but he was the Marlins No. 5 prospect in their system and is a Top 101 prospect according to the latest Baseball Prospectus ranking.