Minnesota Foul Play-by-play Bids Adieu to Luis Arraez

On the Jan. 20, 2023 episode of Minnesota Foul Play-by-play bids adieu to the reigning and defending batting champion of the world, Luis Arraez, for Pablo Lopez and two very young, progressing prospects.

Twins Trade Reigning Batting Champion Luis Arraez to Miami for Pablo Lopez and Two Prospects

• The Marlins wanted more than Arraez for Lopez and gave up more to get only him
  • The Falvine regime does it again, surprising us all with the value they managed to find: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/marlins-trade-pablo-lopez-twins-luis-arraez.html
    • Two years of Lopez at arbitration salaries
    • Byron Chourio looks good in limited ABs (under 200)
      • .838 OPS
      • Almost a full year younger than his competition (he’s 17)
      • Never committed an error at any outfield spot
    • Jose Salas is also very young
      • Over three years younger than competition at High-A
      • Combined between A-ball and High-A, he posted a .723 OPS
      • Plays shortstop relatively well, with a range factor over 4 at High-A
      • Getting great experience in the Arizona Fall League where he’s, again, three years younger than his competition
  • Got more than expected for someone whose best position defensively is first base, but lacks the pop you’d like to get out of that corner infield spot
• Also might indicate that the Twins will FINALLY go with that six-man rotation Anthony’s been wanting for years
  • Limits Kenta Maeda’s innings in his return from Tommy John surgery, as well as the rest of the staff, all of whom seemed to spend time injured last season
  • If your rotation is Tyler Mahle, Lopez, Chris Paddock, Kenta Maeda, Sonny Gray, and Joe Ryan, the Twins’ Opening Day starter last year is the sixth-man this year
    • That can win the AL Central
    • That might even win a playoff game
    • Hell, that might even win a playoff series
      • Move Maeda/Paddock to the bullpen for the season/playoffs depending on how things go?
      • Regardless, the bullpen depth is better, too
• There is precedent for the Twins trading a batting champ
  • Rod Carew won it in 1978 (hitting .333) and was traded to the Angels in the offseason
    • Played 152 games in 1978 and 100 in 1979
    • Twins have won 15 batting titles
    • Arraez had the eighth-best batting average in Twins’ history last year

We Got Ed Dontall Fired?

• Anthony takes credit for the firing of the Vikings’ defensive coordinator
  • Went crazy on the last episode
    • “Ain’t a good coach!”
• Anthony gets mad about the rumored prospects
  • Mike Pettine? Wade Phillips? Jim Leonhard?