How two-time batting title winner fits in Padres lineup

 The San Diego Padres improved their lineup on Friday night.

In a surprising early season trade, the Marlins sent infielder Luis Arraez to the Padres for a trio of prospects in outfielders Dillon Head and Jason Marsee along with first baseman/outfielder Nathan Martorella, as well as reliever Woo-Suk Go. Head, Marsee and Martorella slotted into the Marlins' top 11 prospects after the trade with Go expected to help a beleaguered Marlins bullpen.

Arraez will help lengthen the Padres' lineup. He has posted a .322/.374/.422 batting line in his 1,847 plate appearances since the beginning of the 2021 season, hitting 20 homers and 86 doubles. A two-time All-Star, he won recent batting titles in both the American (2022) and National League (2023), joining DJ LeMahieu (NL 2016, AL 2020) and Pete Browning (American Association 1882, 1885; Player's League 1890) as the only players to win a batting title in multiple leagues. 

The question is how Arraez fits into the Padres' roster. He had been the Marlins' second baseman, a position filled by Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts signed an 11-year, $280 million contract prior to the 2023 season to play short, but was moved to second a year later to accommodate the Gold Glove-winning Ha-Seong Kim. First base, where Arraez played during his time with the Twins, is held down by Jake Cronenworth. He has his own long-term contract, signing a seven-year, $80 million extension that began this year.

Cronenworth and Arraez are similar. Both have experience at first and second, although neither player is a traditional fit at either position. Both struggled defensively at the keystone, making first the logical fit. Cronenworth has more power than Arraez, but he is not the traditional power hitter the position requires.

Arraez's easiest path to playing time may be as the Padres' designated hitter. Manny Machado had been in that role at the beginning of the year after undergoing surgery to repair an extensor tendon in his right elbow. He made his first appearance of the year at third on April 26 and should be ready to move back to the hot corner on a full-time basis soon.

The San Diego Padres are better with Luis Arraez. The question is where he plays once he joins the team.