WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: QUARTERFINALS 2 - USA VS VENEZUELA

March 18, 2023

Luis Arraez

LoanDepot Park

Team Venezuela

Pregame Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We would like to welcome Luis in his home park. We'll start in the second row on your right, Luis.

Q. Before the game, because I couldn't ask Omar, did you have a meeting? What did he tell you in terms of motivation, inspiration, not about strategy of course?

LUIS ARRAEZ: We always meet as a team. We're a family. Omar is always talking to us, saying that we have to play, that we have to enjoy the game and the ballpark. Yes, we speak about the game today. This is a very special team. Everyone knows Omar in Venezuela, everyone loves him, he's great as a manager, and he trusts in us, you know. He just wants us to go out and play our ball.

Q. Lance Lynn will be the opener today. You faced him a lot with Minnesota. Can you tell us what you remember about him, what kind of pitches he throws, what you have told your teammates about that?

LUIS ARRAEZ: Yes, I faced him in Texas. Lance Lynn is a great pitcher. Everyone knows that. But I have been good versus him. I'm going to do my job and take any opportunities. Lynn is very aggressive, he attacks the hitters, and that's his style. He's going to do that again today. It's going to be a different game today. We're in a World Classic, you know, and we are here to enjoy. All the stars of all the teams are present, and Lance Lynn is going to attack us and we are ready to respond.

Q. The Venezuelan lineup has an average of over .300 versus Lance Lynn. Is that important today? And also, what to do in order to be successful versus a pitcher like Lance Lynn, a pitcher that is a high-speed pitcher?

LUIS ARRAEZ: We have faced him a lot, yes, but today it's a different game. He's with the national team. His teammates come from different clubs, from different teams. He's a great pitcher. But I trust my guys and we are ready to overcome those obstacles. We trust ourselves and we're going to do our best.

Q. How are you enjoying this Classic with Venezuela and at the same time preparing for the season? What is the most important thing in the success you have had in your career?

LUIS ARRAEZ: I'm dreaming. Right now, I'm dreaming. Am I here? Am I here? Yes. I'm enjoying this a lot. I have represented Venezuela since I was a little boy. I have great memories. Most of the times I was a champion when I played as a little child. I think that and I hope that we are going to achieve our goal in this tournament.

I'm going to go out and enjoy. The union has been very important. We are together. We're going to keep like that for the remaining two games we have to play.

Q. I'm sorry if they asked you this question before, but now playing in this ballpark for the Marlins, are you feeling like a veteran in this ballpark when the season starts?

LUIS ARRAEZ: Not a veteran. Come on, not as a veteran. But I feel home here. I'm in Miami. I feel at home. The Latino people are here. I have been supported. My Latino people has supported me ever since I came to the Majors in 2019, and I have to thank you for the support. And I'm home, yes. Yes, soon I will feel like a veteran, like you said.

Q. What have you seen from Martin Perez from the mound, the best Martín Pérez?

LUIS ARRAEZ: Martín Pérez has been my teammate ever since I made it to the Majors. He's been my inspiration. He's helped me as a person, as a player, and he's ready for this role. We support him. He's going to do a great job, I'm sure.

Q. Can you elaborate on the Marlins question. When you came to the States, Martín and you lived together, right? What can you say about those lessons that first year with Martín that helped you grow?

LUIS ARRAEZ: When I made it to the Majors, he was a teammate and asked me, Do you have a place to live? I told him, No, I'm in the hotel. And he said, Give me one week and you can come to my house. Martín was always there for me. He supported me. Nelson the same. Nelson Cruz supported me. I admire him. But Martín, I'm playing with him here and I thank him for his support. I have to thank God that I'm playing on a team with him. I was born in Venezuela and I'm going to go out to defend our country, to represent our jersey.

Q. You've spoken a lot about Nelson. What have you learned with him? Weight training together in the last couple of years?

LUIS ARRAEZ: He had an injury and I was called. I've never been a DH until they called me to replace Nelson. And he told me, take care of your physics, go to train. He's just like my father. Now we are brothers. We are together. I call him, he calls me. We train together in the Dominican Republic in 2021. He taught me some routines, how to stay humble, to help the teammates in our team. He says, always take a look at your side, to the other side, help your friends, your teammates and stay humble.