PADRES ADD ARRAEZ!
The San Diego Padres acquired designated hitter/infielder Luis Arraez and cash considerations from the Miami Marlins for outfielders Dillon Head and Jakob Marsee, pitcher Woo-Suk Go and first baseman Nathan Martorella.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
In Arraez, the Padres add one of the league's very best contact hitters. Speed and defense are not his specialty, but the two-time batting champ immediately improves the top of San Diego's lineup. Arraez should play every day either at designated hitter, first base or second base, and he is also under team control through 2025. The perennial .300 hitter is an excellent addition for the Padres, who even got the deal done without involving their best prospects. San Diego also received some cash in this deal to help pay for Arraez' salary.
What does it give the Miami Marlins
Outfielder Head, a first-round pick in 2023, has the highest ceiling of the players acquired by Miami. Speed is his greatest asset and he can hit for average, but he is still early in his development. Marsee is also a speedy outfielder, while Martorella is a contact-hitting first baseman. Both are close to making their MLB debuts. Meanwhile, Go is a reliever who will likely get a look in Miami's bullpen this season. Overall, it is a disappointing return for the Marlins, who did not replace Arraez' production in the short term.
Fantasy impact
Arraez receives a small boost moving to San Diego, where he will have a better chance at scoring runs after getting on base. Miami's newly acquired prospects also get clearer paths to the big leagues. In keeper leagues, Head's development could be worth monitoring. Marsee, Martorella and Go could debut in MLB as soon as this season, but managers can wait and see with them...they may not be impactful enough for fantasy leagues right away.
