Luis Arraez returns from World Baseball Classic; Cardinals blank Marlins
JUPITER — Marlins manager Skip Schumaker expects Luis Arraez to be locked in at second base in 2023. For most of it, at least.
At a morning news conference ahead of a 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, the first-year skipper said he doesn't see Arraez "moving around too much."
"He's going to play second the majority of the season," Schumaker said, reminding that the left-handed Minnesota Twins pickup is a top-of-the-order bat.
But the buzz has already turned from the excitement of what the American League batting champion will bring to the lineup.
While the Cardinals (14-6-1) boast the best win percentage in the Grapefruit League, Miami stands 6-14 with the worst record, a lackluster defense and a full 40-man roster with a host of remaining non-roster invitees at camp.
Opening day is around the corner on March 30. Now, the conversation surrounding Arraez, 25, has turned to just how much his one-year, $6.1 million contract cost the club.
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Arraez returned from the World Baseball Classic for his first at-bat back at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday. Considering his single through right field went unscored, replicating the two homers he hit in Venezuela's loss to the United States two days earlier would've been a much-needed comfort to concerned fans of the Fish.
Tensions rose again in the sixth inning when St. Louis' Jordan Walker grounded into a fielder's choice to third. Tommy Edman scored from first to put the Cardinals on the board and a four-run bottom half ensued after a misfire by third baseman Jean Segura. Failing to make the out at the corner-infield slot, Segura's immediate throw to second blazed past Arraez, arms wide open. The Marlins finished with no runs on seven hits, including two from Arraez.
Earlier in the day, Schumaker said Miami's staff wanted to see players put in "under-pressure situations."
"Some guys run from the stage. Sometimes people run to the stage and so I think we're trying to figure out where they're going to run to," Schumaker said.
In six preseason appearances, Arraez (.294) has had one home run on five hits.
For Arraez — who the Twins had for $2.125 million total — Miami gave up an extra $1.1 million than anticipated, plus right-hander Pablo Lopez and two prospects: Jose Salas, a shortstop verging the top 100, and outfielder Byron Chourio, who hit .344/.429/.410 while playing with the Marlins' Dominican Summer League last year.
'Stuff can happen'
Although Lopez's name was bigger than Salas and Chourio's, the mound still has two-time All-Star Sandy Alcantara and Jesus Luzardo. Not to mention the depth throughout Miami's farm system. The same can't be said for fielding positions like short or center, now expected to be manned by Jazz Chisholm Jr., who earned All-Star honors for his efforts at second base in an injury-riddled 2022.
With the Twins last year, Arraez started 61 games at first base, 34 at designated hitter, and just 31 at second.
"He's played a little bit of third in his career. I see how he fits here at second base and, you know, I'm still getting better at that," Schumaker said. "He played first for the WBC — I don't see him playing too much first. But obviously, stuff can happen."
"Maybe if guys need days off — it also depends on who makes the team. That's a big part of it," Schumaker said.
The Marlins have 40 players at major league camp, including eight non-roster invitees. Brian Miller is the only outfielder NRI while infielders include veterans Yuli Gurriel, C.J. Hinojosa and Jose Iglesias.
Other than 23-year-old designated third baseman Jordan Groshans, signed infield options aren't quite spring chickens. Segura and Jon Berti are each 33. Garrett Cooper — the roster's lone true first baseman — and Joey Wendle are 32.
Gurriel is 38. Hinojosa is 28. Iglesias is 33.
"I think the message when I got here was there's seven new coaches and everybody has a chance to make the team because we haven't seen these guys other than video," Schumaker said. "You don't fall in or out of love with someone in spring training."
"But there are guys that can make this roster that maybe they didn't think or the industry didn't think had a chance and that's what's fun about this thing and spring training, and just because you're an NRI doesn't mean that you can't make this team."
Miami offered Iglesias and Gurriel minor-league deals on March 10. Should the two not be added to the 40-man roster, they can opt out of those contracts on Saturday.
Already shifting pitchers on and off of injured reserve, like Anthony Bender, so that new signings can be made, the club still has a number of needs other than a backup for Arraez.
Performance in left field has been lacking with a dim spring from 2022 signee Jorge Soler, who hasn't lived up to the expectations set by his three-year contract for $36 million — $15 million this season and a player option for $9 million for 2024.
Despite promises of a Gold Glove when news of his new position came in January, Chisholm is still struggling. The second baseman turned center fielder played 200 of 207 minor league games at shortstop and 37 in the big leagues since making his debut against the Blue Jays in September 2020.
"It's a big week for a lot of people," Schumaker said.
The Marlins host the Astros Friday at 6:40 p.m. and meet the Cardinals again Saturday at 1:05 in Jupiter in a home game for St. Louis.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Marlins: Luis Arraez returns from World Baseball Classic
