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Luis Arráez ready for Phillies debut: 'I came to help them win'

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Luis Arráez is set to debut with the Philadelphia Phillies after a trade from the San Francisco Giants.
  • Arráez expressed excitement about joining the Phillies and helping them win, despite being tired from the move.
  • The Venezuelan infielder's arrival prompted positional adjustments, with Bryce Harper moving to right field to accommodate Arráez at second base.

Venezuelan infielder Luis Arráez is ready to make his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies, just hours after his trade from the San Francisco Giants became official. Arráez flew directly to Philadelphia to join his new team, expressing his eagerness to contribute to their success.

I'm excited. Really tired, but excited. Especially because we won today so I hope to get there tomorrow and join the fun.

— Luis ArráezArráez's reaction upon arriving in Philadelphia after being traded to the Phillies.

Arráez, 29, was a significant player on the final day of Major League Baseball's trade deadline. He returns to the East Coast after playing for the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants since 2024. This marks his fifth MLB uniform in eight years. Upon arriving at the airport, Arráez told NBC Sports Philadelphia reporter John Clark, "I'm excited. Really tired, but excited. Especially because we won today so I hope to get there tomorrow and join the fun."

The arrival of the two-time batting champion has led to strategic positional shifts within the Phillies' lineup. To ensure Arráez can play his natural position at second base, veteran star Bryce Harper has agreed to move to right field. Other adjustments include Bryan Stott shifting to third base and Alec Bohm moving to first base. Arráez acknowledged the respect involved in these moves, particularly Harper's willingness to change positions.

Arráez is an exciting player, who has won batting titles and has tools that will be very useful to us. And I am willing to do whatever gives us the best chance to win.

— Bryce HarperHarper commented on Arráez's arrival and his own positional change.

Harper welcomed Arráez, stating, "Arráez is an exciting player, who has won batting titles and has tools that will be very useful to us." He added, "And I am willing to do whatever gives us the best chance to win." Arráez, who currently leads the National League with a .324 batting average, sees his move to Philadelphia as an opportunity to continue his pursuit of a fourth batting title and, more importantly, to join a team with postseason aspirations. "That's why we play baseball, to win. Especially me," Arráez said. "I'm here to help the team win."

That's why we play baseball, to win. Especially me. I'm here to help the team win.

— Luis ArráezArráez stated his motivation for joining the Phillies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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