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Former Twins infielder Luis Arraez is reportedly on the trade block again
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins stunned fans by trading Luis Arraez to the Miami Marlins in January 2023. 

But the deal may have just been the start of an annual tradition as the former All-Star is once again rumored to be on the trading block ahead of next week's winter meetings.

USA Today's Gabe Lacques was the source of the latest Arraez trade rumor listing five players that could be dealt within the coming months. Now a member of the San Diego Padres, Lacques noted that the Padres played significantly better when Arraez arrived in a trade from the Miami Marlins last May but also is due an estimated $14.6 million in arbitration before next season.

Sportskeeda's Zachary Roberts echoed Lacques's speculation citing the Padres' need to lock starting pitcher Michael King and outfielder Jackson Merrill into long-term contracts in the near future.

"With players like King and Merrill needing lengthy, lucrative extensions sooner rather than later, some players are going to be the odd men out," Roberts wrote. "Arraez, who possesses rare bat-to-ball skills, might be the best option to give the Padres a nice return while saving some money."

It's the story of Arraez's career so far. Arraez is a three-time batting champion, winning the American League title with the Twins in 2022 and winning the National League title with the Marlins in 2023 and the Padres in 2024.

But while finding a long-term team has been elusive, so has been finding a home on the field where Arraez's limitations have saddled him with duty at first base and designated hitter. With both positions requiring more power than the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Arraez can provide, he's become a likely trade chip no matter where he's landed.

In 2023, that meant a trade from the Twins that brought back Pablo López. López has become the Twins' ace, going 26-18 over the past two seasons while Arraez helped lead the Marlins to a playoff berth.

When the Marlins began their latest rebuild, Arraez was one of the first pieces traded, sent to San Diego in exchange for four prospects last May. Arraez helped the Padres advance to the divisional round of the playoffs but may be on the move again.

It's a disappointing reality for a player that has proved himself to be a solid hitter on the field and a fan favorite off of it, but next week's Winter Meetings could determine where the 27-year-old calls home in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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