REPORT: The Miami Marlins’ Most Indispensable Player
The Miami Marlins recently concluded a successful season, marking their first full postseason appearance since 2003. Looking ahead to 2024, who among the roster could potentially guide them to a deep playoff run? Despite experiencing numerous losing seasons, there has been a notable shift in momentum as of 2023.
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Much of this turnaround can be attributed to their key acquisition from the previous season, Luis Arráez. Arráez’s arrival has had a transformative effect in South Beach, revitalizing the team dynamic. Alongside him, notable contributors include Josh Bell and Jake Burger, both instrumental in the Marlins’ playoff berth in 2023.
In just one season with the team, Arráez has significantly altered the atmosphere at Loan Depot Park. Under his leadership, the Marlins advanced to the NL Wild Card game, sparking newfound energy in the Miami offense. As such, Luis Arráez emerges as the Marlins’ most invaluable player.
Luis Arráez’s Indispensable Impact on the Marlins
Arráez’s absence would likely have led the Marlins to another challenging year in 2023. He came to the Marlins in a trade with the Minnesota Twins before the previous season, initially seen as a loss with the departure of pitcher Pablo López.
Luis Arreaz 1st cycle in Marlins history
— IBWAA (@IBWAA) April 12, 2023
However, the trade turned out to be a stroke of luck for the Marlins, as they acquired a key player for their franchise. Arráez had an outstanding year in Minnesota in 2022, making his first All-Star appearance, winning the AL batting title, and receiving Silver Slugger honors. His impressive performance caught the attention of the Marlins, who were in desperate need of offensive prowess. Upon his addition to the team, their fortunes swiftly changed, and Arráez had a remarkable debut season with Miami.
In 2023, Arráez continued his success by securing his second All-Star appearance and claiming the NL Silver Slugger Award. He solidified his position as the Marlins’ starting second baseman, with plans for him to continue in that role in 2024.
He led the league with a .345 batting average and ranked 8th in NL MVP voting. Moreover, he finished the season with impressive overall statistics, boasting a .354 batting average, .393 on-base percentage, and .469 slugging percentage. His batting average flirted with the prestigious .400 mark for a significant portion of the season, and his 133 OPS+ was the highest among all Marlins players.
In addition to his exceptional performance, Arráez set new records for the team. He became the first Marlins player to achieve a cycle and surpassed Hanley Ramírez’s franchise record for most four-hit games in a season. Not only is he the Marlins’ most potent offensive player, but he also serves as a source of inspiration for the team’s young talent.
Arráez is set to become a free agent in 2025 but expresses a desire to extend his contract with the Marlins. Whether this materializes remains uncertain, given the team’s history of trading away star players. Meanwhile, another offseason acquisition worth monitoring is Tim Anderson, whose combination of potent hitting and strong fielding could potentially elevate him to a crucial role within the Marlins’ roster.