Luis Arraez makes it clear trade rumors have no effect on his desire to win with Padres

After winning three straight batting titles, you would think Luis Arraez would be one of the last players to be consistently mentioned in trade discussions. Unfortunately for Arraez however, he has been moved around quite often, with the San Diego Padres becoming his third team in three years after a mid-season trade in 2024. Both the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins saw Arraez as a player to flip for prospects, and it looked like the Padres would be doing the same thing, until recently.

With trade rumors surrounding Arraez now subsiding, the Padres first baseman and designated hitter has made it clear that he has no ill will towards the organization. Injured for the end of the 2024 season, Padres fans should be excited Arraez is still with the team, and even more importantly, fully healthy.

Arraez shows desire to win after thumb injury

Spending a large amount of time playing with a torn ligament in his left thumb, Arraez underwent surgery to repair the injury in October after the Padres had been eliminated in the NLDS. In an interview at spring training, Manager Mike Shildt expressed his admiration for Arraez's ability to continue playing through the painful injury.

"How he won a batting title, without basically a thumb for the last six weeks, was beyond impressive," said Shildt. "It really, really was bothersome for him. But mentally, to still compete with that kind of physical ailment, compete well, and still lead us into the playoffs, very, very impressive, a lot of respect for Luis."

After an offseason where he was a front runner to be traded away, with rumors heavily linking him to the New York Yankees, Arraez has not let the situation affect his relationship with the team. Add in the fact that the thumb injury is no longer bothering him, and the 2025 season should bring a new caliber of player.

"I got jammed yesterday and I didnt feel anything. That's a good sign...I feel like I got a new thumb," said Arraez in an interview on Wednesday. "It affected me a lot, because I use my hands a lot, I stay inside-out. But I couldnt use it last year. This year, I don't feel anything in my thumb...I think it's a lot of problems [for] the pitchers this year."

It is safe to say Arraez is feeling healthier, and confident, about his abilities in 2025. With the Padres signing a number of players who could take over at first base, Arraez may be able to focus solely on his at-bats, news that should worry every opposing pitcher in the league.