Reds are a better trade partner than Yankees for under-appreciated Padres' All-Star

If you're an old-school baseball fan, you undoubtedly love watching Luis Arráez swing the bat. There is no one in the league who is a better pure hitter than the San Diego Padres' All-Star. Arráez has won the batting title for three consecutive seasons.

Oddly enough, Arráez has done so on three different teams. The 27-year-old infielder won the AL batting title in 2022 as a member of the Minnesota Twins. Arráez was traded after the season and became the NL batting champ in 2023 with the Miami Marlins. Arráez was dealt to the Friars last spring and took home the honor once again in 2024.

There's now a strong possibility that Arráez may be wearing a different uniform in 2025. Some of the latest trade rumblings from ESPN's Jeff Passan (subscription required) have linked Arráez to the New York Yankees, but if the three-time All-Star is truly on the block, the Cincinnati Reds should be making a phone call.

Reds are a better trade partner than Yankees for under-appreciated Padres' All-Star Luis Arráez

If you're into the new metrics like exit velocity, barrel rate, and even wins above replacement, then Arráez is not going to be atop your wishlist. Arráez was in the 10th percentile or lower in both average exit velo and barrel rate last season and was only worth 1.1 fWAR. Those types of numbers don't really appeal to the new-school line of thinking.

But, if you're tired of seeing the Reds consistently finish near the bottom of the league in hitting, then Arráez will quickly become your favorite player. For his career, the left-handed hitting infielder owns a .323 batting average and .353 on-base percentage. Cincinnati ranked in the bottom-third of the league in both categories last season. The Reds haven't ranked among the best in league in either category since 2021.

Now there are certainly things that should give Reds fans cause to pause when it comes to Arráez. First off, he's one of the worst defenders in the league. Over the past three season, Arráez has been worth -21 outs above average (OAA). With the Reds' newfound emphasis on defense, adding Arráez could be a tough sell. But, if you're bringing a player like Arráez, you're doing so for his bat, not his glove.

Arráez is also in the final year of arbitration and will cost upwards of $14 million. The Padres, who are looking to contend while also reducing payroll, won't just give Arráez away for nothing. But with San Diego's lack of pitching depth, the Reds could have something of value that the Friars want.

Few teams need a bat — and a leadoff hitter at that — more so than the Reds. While Arráez may not be the best positional fit for Cincinnati, adding a veteran bat with an ability to get on base with regularity would be a major upgrade for the Reds' lineup.

Cincinnati has plenty of power-bats (Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Jeimer Candelario) who can leave the yard, but getting on ahead of those big hitters could help the Reds put more runs on the board next season. Perhaps it's time for Nick Krall to give A.J. Preller a call.

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