Everything points to the San Diego Padres being buyers at the trade deadline, but it’s possible to suggest that the team could look to move on from some of its top players. That includes Luis Arraez, who has been in trade talks over much of the past few years.
Arraez is on a one-year, $14 million deal and is set to hit the free agency market at the end of the season.
For that reason alone, the Padres may look to trade him.
The Athletic also believes that's the case, naming some interesting trade scenarios that could play out for the left-handed hitter.
MORE: Padres 'don't match up' with Red Sox in trade for All-Star MVP
One of them was to the Boston Red Sox, with The Athletic noting that while the Padres could be buyers, and they expect them to be, it's possible they could move on from him.
“We should be clear: We expect the Padres to be buyers. But we can envision a scenario in which San Diego looks to move money off its current roster to add it elsewhere, and Arraez, with his larger salary and imperfect defensive fit, makes the most sense for that kind of move. (That’s why Dylan Cease and Robert Suarez aren't on this list.)
“Arraez is a throwback, a no-true-outcomes player who puts the ball in play in more than 90 percent of his plate appearances,” they wrote.
Trading Arraez right now might not be the worst idea, especially if a team like the Red Sox would be willing to overpay with their above-average farm system.
Arraez is an excellent bat-to-ball hitter, but he isn't a superstar by any means.
For much of his time in San Diego, he's been a very average hitter outside of average.
This year, he has just a 99 OPS+.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Padres make Dylan Cease, Michael King trade deadline decisions
- Tigers 'make a lot of sense' in trade for $275 million All-Star third baseman
- Tigers expected to aggressively pursue impact closer at trade deadline
- Astros named a 'strong trade fit' for Braves three-time All-Star silver slugger
- MLB insider reveals Guardians' trade demands for Steven Kwan
- MLB insider reveals three relievers Cardinals are most likely to trade