Wendle’s winning perspective, versatility could prove critical to Marlins’ goals in 2022
Joey Wendle has seen the formula work.
As a member of the Tampa Bay Rays the past four seasons, Wendle witnessed how a low-payroll, versatile, young team consistently topped the more star-laden, big-budget Yankees and Red Sox on their way to the postseason.
The Marlins, a team with an even smaller payroll than the Rays, but also with a young mix of versatile talent, faces similar challenges in a typically loaded National League East.
The Marlins are hoping Wendle, one of Miami’s most notable acquisitions this offseason, will bring to their clubhouse the perspective of what it takes for such teams to defy the odds.
“He’s been part of something great in Tampa,” Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas said. “Hopefully he can bring the winning mentality every single day. It doesn’t matter where you are in [terms of] payroll. It doesn’t matter if you’re the Yankees or the Tampa Bay Rays. They [the Rays] beat the Yankees a lot, and I feel like that mentality and that kind of player is going to help us a lot.”
Wendle, whom the Marlins acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay last November for outfield prospect Kameron Misner, gives the Marlins another quality option at three infield spots as well as a potential productive bat in a lineup that needs it.
Wendle, a former sixth-round pick of Cleveland in 2012, broke through to the majors in 2016 with Oakland where he played two seasons before joining the Rays in 2018. He hit .265/.319/.422 with 11 home runs, four triples and 54 RBI in 460 at-bats during his first All-Star season a year ago.
Wendle played at third base in 107 games last season and also played at shortstop in 25 games and at second base in 16.
“I think that’s what Joey gives you — a guy that, he just raised his rankings defensively at third and short and second,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. He’s been a good defender all over and then his make-up is off the chart that he brings to the table. You bring that type into the mix and it just gives you more depth and more flexibility.”
Mattingly said he spoke to Rays manager Kevin Cash right after Wendle was traded to Miami. Mattingly said he was concerned Wendle could be disappointed leaving a World Series contender like the Rays, but said he got quite the opposite feedback.
“He was very excited and knew what we had going on and that’s good to hear,” Mattingly said.
Wendle joins a Marlins’ squad that in theory has starters bound for all three positions this season with Brian Anderson bouncing back from injury at third base, Rojas at short and promising 24-year-old Jazz Chisholm at second.
But Wendle figures to get plenty of playing time at any of the three spots. He has worked at all three so far during the first four days of spring training, taking reps at shortstop during Thursday’s workout.
“I think part of my role is not needing to know my role and just coming in and playing wherever they need me,” Wendle said.
The Marlins welcome the depth that Wendle could bring as they dealt with numerous injuries last season including its infield as Anderson was limited to 67 games at third base. Rojas also missed some games with a finger injury.
One thing Wendle said made the Rays great was working together as a unit and having a selfless attitude when it came to playing time.
“Guys are competitors and want to play every day, but when there’s a situation where you have versatile guys that can play different positions, it affords you the ability to have the best matchup at the plate.
“If we can come at this like a true team in the infield or outfield having the understanding that if I’m not getting this at-bat or not playing today it’s because maybe this player might do this job better and tomorrow it might be me.
“Just having that selfless approach and the buy-in helped us over there. And having the expectation of winning. Everybody is good in this division, but so are we.”
Wendle said while it wouldn’t be fair to compare the two rosters, he has seen some of the ingredients among his new club that the Marlins will need to succeed.
“There’s definitely some continuity among the infielders I’ve been working with and that’s been helpful to get to know them as players, how the system works and what’s expected from me. I can see it’s a hard-working group that’s ready to compete.”
OPENING SPRING STARTS
Mattingly said Sandy Alcantara will start Friday’s Grapefruit League opener against the Washington Nationals (6:05 p.m.) in West Palm Beach, and Pablo Lopez would start Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros (1:05 p.m.) in Jupiter.
Mattingly said Alcantara, whom is widely expected to be the Marlins’ Opening Day starter, would likely throw three innings or 45 pitches with Lopez slated to throw two innings on Saturday.
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 12:18 PM.
