As noted by astute people like Joe Veyera on social media, the Seattle Mariners have come to terms with shortstop J.T. Arruda ahead of spring training.

Now 28 years old, Arruda was an 11th-round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2019. He played his college ball at Fresno State.

He has yet to make his major league debut and spent most of the year at Triple-A Rochester in 2025, hitting .250 there with five home runs. Not much of a power hitter, he has 23 career minor league homers and 92 stolen bases.

For now, he seems like minor league depth, but even that might be real competition early in spring training. While we don't know how things are going to shake out, let's say that right now things shape up like this:

For example, if the Mariners are playing a right-handed pitcher: Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley are in the lineup with Victor Robles and Rob Refsnyder taking up two of the four bench spots. Andrew Knizner is another, so that leaves one spot only for a utility infielder. Perhaps that's Leo Rivas.

If things play out in that way, then that means that one of Colt Emerson or Ben Williamson would start the year at Triple-A, as would Ryan Bliss and Miles Mastrobuoni. Arruda would have to fight to make that group, and then there's always Michael Arroyo moving up the ranks as well. Patrick Wisdom is in the mix as well.

Either way, it's good to have another infielder in the system as protection against injury or stalled prospect development, but Arruda doesn't figure to have an easy path to making his major league debut with Seattle.

--With 3.5 weeks to go until spring training, things could certainly change from a roster perspective. Perhaps the M's move one of the excess outfielders, or perhaps they complete a long-rumored trade for Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals. There's also a chance they re-sign Eugenio Suarez, which would complicate the infield picture even further.

--The Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced on Tuesday. Felix Hernandez is expected to make a great push up the ballot, but is not expected to get in this time around.

--As of now, the M's are sending several players to the World Baseball Classic, including Cal Raleigh and Gabe Speier (USA), Julio Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), Randy Arozarena (Mexico), Matt Brash and Josh Naylor (Canada) and Arroyo (Colombia). While not confirmed, Andres Munoz (Mexico) and Eduard Bazardo (Venezuela) are also expected to contribute.

--The latest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast is now out. You can listen to it here.

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