Former Miami Marlins slugger Luis Arraez joins a surging Philadelphia Phillies squad ahead of the trade deadline, reuniting with former teammates to bolster a postseason push.
MIAMI, Fla. – Former Miami Marlins infielder Luis Arraez was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 6:00 p.m. deadline.
The four-time All-Star returns to the National League East after three years on the West Coast. Arraez is currently batting .324 (second in MLB) with a .801 OPS, including 136 hits (second in MLB) in 420 at-bats, 23 doubles, seven triples, 43 runs batted in, and four home runs in 105 games. Despite the individual success, the Giants (47-65) are far gone from the National League playoff picture – currently 12 games behind.
Right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian will join Arraez on the move to the City of Brotherly Love. In return, the Giants get back right-handed prospects Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair.
Before departing, Arraez had a remarkable 2023 season with the Marlins. He led the league with a .354 batting average and a .861 OPS, including 203 hits in 617 at-bats, 30 doubles, a triple, 69 runs batted in, and 10 home runs in 147 games. Arraez was named an All-Star, finished eighth in National League MVP voting, and received his second Silver Slugger title.
The Marlins will see familiar faces from Aug. 17 to 19. Along with Arraez, Bryan De La Cruz and Jesus Luzardo are on the Phillies’ active roster. The former Marlins trio played in the franchise’s last postseason appearance in 2023.
De La Cruz played four seasons in South Florida before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jun-Seok Shim and infielder Garrett Forrester. After three years at Oakland, Luzardo found a new home in Miami. He spent four years with the Marlins and produced a 4.15 ERA and a 21-28 record in 403 innings (74 games). In the last two seasons at Philadelphia, Luzardo finished top-10 in Cy Young voting and was named an All-Star.
The Phillies (59-53) are on the verge of missing the playoffs – barely hanging on to the National League’s final Wild Card spot. Arraez could provide a much-needed spark in the lineup to regain momentum. However, the main question is where he will play. Bryson Stott has been the Phillies’ top second baseman. This season, Arraez has only made one appearance at both third base and designated hitter.
It’s a puzzle for interim manager Don Mattingly to put together. World Series expectations surround the clubhouse, but given the latest struggles, Arraez will be relied upon to keep all hopes alive.
