MLB Trade Rumors: Luis Arráez Drew Interest from Royals Before Marlins-Padres Deal

The Kansas City Royals reportedly targeted Luis Arráez in a trade before the Miami Marlins sent him to the San Diego Padres.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Royals checked in as recently as last week, but the Marlins felt San Diego's offer was too good to pass up.

The Padres sent a massive prospect haul of Dillon Head, Jakob Marsee, Nathan Martorella, and Woo-suk Go to Miami in exchange for Arráez over the weekend. Arráez was the NL batting champion in each of his two seasons with the Marlins and is hitting .311/.354/.385 this season.

His ability to hit for average has already drawn comparisons to former Padres slugger Tony Gwynn.

"It was a sight to behold,'' Padres manager Mike Shildt said. "What a talent. … It's hard to have a comp to Tony Gwynn, but if there is one in our modern game, now we have him on our team. And that just feels right.''

Arráez does not hit for much power, draw many walks or steal many bases. His player profile is almost the anthesis of modern baseball, which emphasizes power hitting and walks. Arráez is effective enough as a contact hitter that no hitting coach would ever try changing the way he plays; he's the MLB equivalent of DeMar DeRozan, whose midrange brilliance continues despite the increased prevalence of the three ball.

There was no word on what the Royals were willing to offer for Arráez. It's unlikely Kansas City was willing to match the haul of prospects offered by the Padres, who some around baseball believe overpaid.