Report: Padres have discussed trading Arraez

Luis Arraez's tenure in San Diego might be a short one.

The Padres have discussed trading the infielder to provide them with payroll flexibility to shore up other areas of need, sources told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Arraez is projected to earn $14.6 million through arbitration before hitting free agency at the end of the 2025 campaign.

The three-time batting champion won his third consecutive hitting crown with the Padres after slashing .318/.346/.398 following a trade with the Miami Marlins last May.

Arraez is one of the league's best contact hitters and rarely strikes out, but he also ranked in the ninth percentile or lower last season in average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage.

San Diego is reportedly fielding calls for right-hander Dylan Cease, who also came over to the Padres last season and is in the mix for 10-time Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Padres have been linked to Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki, and manager Mike Shildt said they should be "legitimate contenders" to acquire him.