Marlins trading Luis Arraez to Padres for prospects in shock move

Miami is closing in on a deal that would send Luis Arraez to the Padres for three prospects, ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported Friday night.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins are getting prospects Dillon Head, Woo Suk-Go, Jakob Marsee and Nathan Martorella in return.

Arraez, who led the majors with a .354 batting average last year, has a .299/.347/.372 slash line this season in 33 games.

A look at Luis Arraez, who was removed from the starting lineup tonight and could reportedly be on the move. pic.twitter.com/VWZWqBhE90

— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) May 4, 2024

The two-time All-Star — who led the American League in hitting with a .316 average in 2022 — arrived in Miami in 2023 after a trade from the Twins in which Minnesota acquired starter Pablo Lopez.

Though he's played 33 games at second base and eight more at first base this season. Arraez is expected to start as the Padres' designated hitter when the trade is finalized, ESPN reported.

The surprise trade comes as the Marlins now hold a 9-25 record after losing Friday's game to the A's.

Arraez was in uniform for the game but did not play, as he hugged teammates in the visiting dugout after the news of the trade broke.

Without Juan Soto, the Padres are at 17-18 and in second place in the NL West.

Head, Martorella and Marsee all rank in the Padres' top-30 prospects on MLB Pipeline, with Head a 19-year-old Class A outfielder, leading the way as the organization's sixth-best farm hand.

With good contact and excellent speed, Head is considered the "main piece" of the deal, according to The Post's Jon Heyman.