López, Arraez reunite with their former team ahead of opener

MIAMI -- As prospects at the Single-A level in 2016, a 20-year-old Pablo López faced off against a 19-year-old Luis Arraez in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the Mariners and Twins organizations, respectively.

Arraez, who went on to win the Midwest League batting title, reached on a single that glanced off López’s glove.

There's a strong possibility López and Arraez will meet again in Wednesday's series finale between the Twins and Marlins at loanDepot park. This will mark the first time they will face their former club since a Jan. 20 trade that also sent Miami prospects Jose Salas and Byron Chourio to Minnesota.

“I faced [López] a lot then, and now we've got to face him,” Arraez said prior to the series opener on Monday. “He’s got his plan and I’ve got my plan. Everybody knows I want to hit the ball every time. I think he just wants to strike me out. But I just go there and then have fun with Pablo. Pablo's the best. He's an amazing person and an amazing pitcher.”

The notable offseason trade was necessitated by the fact the Marlins were looking for offense and they had a surplus of starting pitching. The Twins, meanwhile, were in the market for pitching and they had their share of hitters.

López had been part of a formidable 1-2 punch with 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, while Arraez became the third player to be traded the offseason after winning a batting title, joining Bill Madlock (Cubs to Giants after 1976) and Rod Carew (Twins to Angels after '78).

Arraez still keeps in touch with his former teammates and coaches. The Twins were the organization that opened the door for him, signing him in November 2013 as an international free agent out of San Felipe, Venezuela, and developing him. By the time he debuted in ‘19, Minnesota's Minor League coaches had taught him everything from the game on the field to how best to handle himself. The 25-year-old Arraez quickly became a fan favorite.

“A lot of good things,” said Arraez, who entered Monday having gone 9-for-16 (.563) to begin his Marlins career. “I remember playing with my guys there, but you know what, I just come here to enjoy the game, go there and have fun with my guys, and then especially I try to get my hits, and then give something good for them. I still love my guys, I still love Minnesota. I miss a lot of my guys there. This is a business, nothing personal, but I just go there and play baseball.”

Being back at loanDepot park brings back great memories for López, among the most popular and fan-friendly players in Marlins history. The 27-year-old noted that his return to South Florida was made easier because he pitched for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

“This is the place I started my career as a player and a person,” López told reporters pregame Monday. “It’s a place I saw my hair fall off, too. I have so many great memories.”

Among them, López's nine straight strikeouts on July 11, 2021, to open a start against the Braves stands out, as does his Major League debut in ‘18.

“Obviously, I was here for five years,” said López, who picked up the win as Minnesota’s Opening Day starter. “So obviously I tried to represent myself and the Marlins the best I could, and having their support meant the world to me. I knew they had my back, and I tried to have their back as much as I could every time that I took that mound. Having so much support, there were so many well wishes. Some people were upset, but they got a great return. They got a great player and person in return. I think they should be happy also in what they got.”

Making the storyline more compelling, López and Arraez were Classic teammates last month.

“We hit it off immediately,” López said of their fast friendship. “Obviously, that was one of the relationships I was really looking forward to. I knew we were going to have a ton of things to talk about. I was going to ask him stuff about the Marlins; he was going to ask me things about the Twins. We really hit it off quickly.

"I could also see why so many Minnesota Twins fans were upset with him leaving. He’s a great player and even a better person. He’s the kind of guy that when he’s on the field, he’s doing everything he can to help his team win. Extremely selfless in the way he competes.”

Added Arraez: “He just told me there's a lot of good people here, and then [to], 'Go there and play your baseball.'”