On Monday morning, the Philadelphia Phillies traded for four-time All-Star Luis Arraez. The move has been regarded as a positive one by both fans and members of the Phillies.
Jesús Luzardo looked ecstatic to be playing with one of his best friends again. “He’s like a brother to me [and was] at my wedding last offseason,” said Luzardo through a beaming smile. The two players were teammates in Miami in 2023 and 2024.
“High-energy guy. The energy that he brings every single day, it’s hard to replicate,” praised Luzardo.
I asked Luzardo where the first place he would take Arraez in Philly. “First, we got to find him a place to live, and then after that, maybe show him Angelo’s or something,” said Luzardo.
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Bryan De La Cruz also played with Arraez in 2023 and 2024. “Big Guy. Arraez is one of the best hitters in baseball right now,” said De La Cruz. “I could see a couple guys being happy [he’s] here like Schwarber and Harper, seeing him at the top of the lineup,” said De La Cruz through translator Diego D’Aniello.
“Definitely excited about Luis,” said Phillies Manager Don Mattingly. “Without putting too much pressure on him, he’s kinda like the modern-day, for me, Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs. The guy just hits.” Mattingly won’t get into his vision for Arraez in the lineup but emphasized he wouldn’t be toward the bottom of the lineup.
Mattingly confirmed that Arraez would play at second base. Bryson Stott would move to third, Alec Bohm to first. Bryce Harper would move to right field for the first time since 2022. “Harp moving to the outfield is really the key to this,” said Mattingly.
Arraez will be a major piece in the Phillies lineup, most likely towards the top of it.
Before being acquired by the Phillies, he was hitting .324 with an .801 OPS. His batting average would lead the Phillies. His OPS would be third.