The time has come for Miami Marlins to pull a Charles Johnson with Luis Arraez

What exactly does pulling a Charles Johnson mean for Luis Arraez and the Miami Marlins?

Draft in the first round? Make into a Gold Glove catcher? Trade for either a future Hall of Famer or at least a future Marlins team MVP? All reasonable conclusions, and all things that really happened regarding Johnson and the Marlins...even if almost all of those would be impossible outcomes outside of a video game for Luis Arraez.

No, what "pulling a Charles Johnson" would mean for the Miami Marlins in this case involves a trip down memory lane back to the 2001 season, when Miami brought back the veteran catcher as what was hoped to be the finishing touch on a roster ready to climb back above .500 and fight for a playoff spot. After having unceremoniously sold him off due to ownership slamming the team's title window shut, a franchise favorite was brought back in an immensely popular move to help the next generation players.

In other words, almost exactly the situation this current Marlins front office finds themselves with Luis Arraez.

Sure, no World Series ring or sterling defensive reputation come attached here, but there's no denying the fact that Arraez was both immensely popular and the player best associated with the most recent run of success the Marlins have had. For many fans, that 2023 team is the only success they have experienced. And for all fans, it is far too rare that the Marlins have brought someone back while they still have something of real value to offer.

Jeff Conine, Johnson, and if you really squint...Juan Encarnacion. That's the list, and there are multiple reasons the Marlins would do well to make Arraez the fourth name on it.

For starters, as already covered, it would be an immensely popular decision. The majority of the fan base will look warmly upon the move and welcome the front office announcing a serious intent to contend in 2026 by making this kind of transaction. That means more ratings, more fans at the stadium, and more merchandise sold. Perception is everything with the Marlins franchise, and this would send the right kind of message.

Secondly, having Arraez in the lineup is a far cheaper proposition today in 2026 than it would have been back in 2024 when the debate was whether or not to extend him. Everything about his current situation suggests this would be yet another one-year, prove it deal for him, which is frankly ridiculous given that this is essentially shaping up to be third time he has found himself in this position since winning his first batting title and he's still under 30 years old. Signing Arraez to a one year deal serves the interests of a team looking ahead to the forthcoming CBA talks and keeps money off their books for a potentially capped 2027 campaign. Plus it would also be a step in the right direction of convincing the rest of MLB that the Marlins will spend revenue sharing money on payroll.

Lastly, there is a clear positional fit here. When the Marlins front office was shoving Arraez out the door last time, he was a second baseman. Miami now has three dramatically superior defenders at second base between Xavier Edwards, Otto Lopez, and Javier Sanoja. However, Arraez has largely transitioned to first base- a position at which he would be the most qualified member of the roster by a country mile. And not just the 26-man roster, but the entire 40-man version. At present, Miami's first base plans involve multiple players who have never played the position. Meanwhile, Arraez is coming off a season that saw him post one of the best fielding percentages in baseball. Fielding percentage might be a flawed and incomplete stat...but it's not nothing compared to the defensive triage unit the Marlins are getting ready to run out there at first this season.

Bottom-line? He's cheaper than ever, he genuninely enjoys playing in South Florida, he can help provide veteran leadership, he has postseason experience, and still does at least one thing better than just about anyone else in the game.

Sounds like it should be a no-brainer for the Marlins brass.