Here’s a compilation of the latest reporting as of Friday night from The Athletic’s team of reporters as Monday’s trade deadline approaches.What is the market for Giants’ Luis Arraez?As talented as Luis Arraez is, he never seems all that coveted.Last winter, in his first crack at free agency, Arraez lingered on the open market until late January before signing a one-year, $12 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.Now, as Monday’s trade deadline nears, Arraez is one of the players most likely to be dealt, but seemingly in limited demand.Arraez, 29, is a three-time batting champion in the middle of both an offensive and defensive resurgence. His preference is to remain at second base, where he has re-established himself this season. But outside of the Tampa Bay Rays, few clubs seek help at that position.Why is everyone watching for hugs before the trade deadline?Tyler Kepner and Lauren Morales-JonesArraez’s previous team, San Diego, has a greater need for pitching. The Texas Rangers, originally thought to be an Arraez suitor, also are prioritizing other areas. The Boston Red Sox would prefer to add a shortstop. The Houston Astros, who entered today ranked 25th in OPS at second, are not going to displace Jose Altuve.Two clubs that could stand to upgrade at first base, the Cleveland Guardians and Arizona Diamondbacks, might be disinclined to take on the $3.5 million remaining on Arraez’s contract. And Arraez does not want to play first as he prepares to re-enter the free-agent market, according to a person briefed on his thinking.Some team will find a place for Arraez, who entered today batting .328 with an .811 OPS, his highest figures since 2023. But outside of the Rays, it’s difficult to imagine which club that might be. — Ken Rosenthal and Katie WooAstros interested in Lars NootbaarNo team is extracting a lower batting average or OPS from its outfield than the Astros, who are on a widespread search for anyone to supplement their struggling unit. It remains the team’s foremost priority before Monday’s deadline.General manager Dana Brown would prefer to acquire a left-handed hitter, but softened his stance last weekend, saying, “At this point, we’ll take whatever production we can get.”Still, a left-handed hitter is among the most prominent names being discussed within the Astros’ front office. St. Louis’ Lars Nootbaar is of interest to Houston, according to multiple sources granted anonymity for their candor to discuss ongoing negotiations.Nootbaar, who missed the start of the season after undergoing heel surgery this winter, is slashing .241/.347/.366 across his first 170 plate appearances. Nootbaar’s career .342 on-base percentage alone would be a boon for an Astros outfield that entered Friday reaching base at a .292 clip.Whether the Astros can meet St. Louis’ asking price is another matter. One source described the Cardinals’ ask as “astronomical,” which does not bode well for a club short on prospect capital. Houston has just two consensus Top 100 prospects — teenage outfielder Kevin Alvarez and infielder Xavier Neyens — and The Athletic’s Keith Law had the Astros’ farm system 28th out of 30 teams in his preseason rankings.Though Houston does not have prospect capital, it does have a cadre of controllable, young pitching that could appeal to other clubs. Reliever AJ Blubaugh has drawn considerable trade interest, as The Athletic first reported earlier this month, but Miguel Ullola and Alimber Santa are in similar positions to Blubaugh.All have five years of team control remaining, have starting pitching backgrounds and have pitched well in their major-league introductions as relievers. Might one of Blubaugh, Santa or Ullola intrigue a Cardinals team that, according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal, is seeking “meaningful pieces” that align with their plan to contend in late 2027 or 2028?Perhaps St. Louis would, but it’s clear it may take more than that to land Nootbaar, who is under team control through next season and — conceivably — could be a part of the next contending Cardinals team. — Chandler Rome