The Miami Marlins will give Owen Caissie time off after his breakout performance with Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic.
The Miami Marlins are taking a measured approach with one of their most exciting new additions. After an impressive showing at the World Baseball Classic, outfielder Owen Caissie will receive a few days off before returning to action in spring training.
Miami’s front office has been aggressive in reshaping the roster over the past year, and Caissie represents one of the most intriguing pieces of that effort. President of baseball operations Peter Bendix acquired the 23-year-old as part of the trade that sent Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs. The move brought a highly regarded power bat into the Marlins’ system, and early signs suggest the organization believes he could play a significant role sooner rather than later.
According to MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola, manager Clayton McCullough plans to give Caissie a brief break following his World Baseball Classic run with Team Canada. The decision reflects both the heavy workload Caissie handled during the tournament and the extensive travel involved.
Caissie appeared in five games for Canada and was one of the team’s most productive hitters. He posted a .412/.476/.765 slash line while adding a home run and five RBI. His biggest moment came in his first at-bat of the tournament when he launched a two-run homer that helped set the tone for Canada’s strong start.
Canada ultimately advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Team USA, but Caissie’s performance left a strong impression. For the Marlins, the tournament served as an early preview of the type of offensive upside that made him such a valuable trade target.
Caissie’s journey to Miami has already included several twists. Originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, he was later traded to the Cubs as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Yu Darvish to San Diego. After climbing through Chicago’s farm system and making his major league debut, he now finds himself positioned for a fresh opportunity with the Marlins.
If his WBC performance is any indication, Miami may have landed a player capable of making an immediate impact. The Marlins saw outfielder Kyle Stowers emerge as a breakout performer last season, and the organization hopes Caissie can continue that trend of young offensive contributors.
For now, however, the focus is simple: rest, recover, and prepare for what could be a pivotal season. Once Caissie returns to the spring lineup, the Marlins will be eager to see whether his international momentum can carry into the 2026 campaign.
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