By Adeniyi Precious 
The Mets are apparently looking into a pretty unexpected name for their roster: Luis Arraez. The guy is a three-time batting champ with a .354 average from his 2023 season with the Marlins, which is a huge deal. Not something anyone expected in Mets rumors, especially with all the buzz about Pete Alonso or a similar power hitter.
It turns out, the Mets are a little more interested in Arraez than the Yankees are. No serious trade talks with the Padres have happened yet, but it looks like the Padres are shopping him around, likely at a discount because they’re trying to cut costs.
So, how does Arraez fit with the Mets? He could be a solid option for first base or DH, especially since he’s pretty much a lock to hit .300. Some fans may be sour on the idea given Jeff McNeil’s down years, but Arraez could bring some stability with his hitting. While he’s not a great defender, he’s got experience all over the infield.
Arraez doesn’t really compare to anyone in modern baseball, but he does resemble old-school players like Bill Madlock and even Wade Boggs. He’s not known for partying, but one thing’s for sure: he puts the ball in play. He could be a solid alternative to someone like Jose Iglesias, and his bat could really help the Mets lineup.
If the Mets do trade for him, though, they’ll still need to add some power elsewhere. They’ve got room for a couple more big hitters, but they’ll need a first baseman and either a DH or third baseman to replace the home runs Alonso is expected to bring in 2025.
David Stearns has been patient with his approach, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the first baseman situation isn’t clear until March. Keep an eye on who ends up as the Mets’ guy at first!