[Lefty Noob]

Anyone else here looking forward to the World Baseball Classic as much as I am? It starts in less than a month, and I think it'll be a lot of fun seeing MLB players go at it in an international tourney.

My only concern is the number of players who are backing out of it lately -- Bonds, Crawford, Mauer, Nomar, and so on. The latest is Eric Gagne, who doesn't want to risk re-injuring his elbow. I mean, you can't blame the guy, but it's still a little disheartening.

[EmpireWF]

I hope Pedro Martinez pulls out. No sense in having him hurt his foot any more than it might be already.

The WBC is a good thing but the way they're doing it is awful. Why right during spring training? The Mets are one of the teams with the most guys playing in it. I'll be too worried about the effect it has on their season then focusing on team USA.

[Lefty Noob]

Interesting. Does anyone know how the rosters break down by team?

And what about the international players? Who should we watching? Obviously, one would think Cuba has to be loaded, but I haven't heard their official roster yet, nor would I probably know anyone on it. I mean, it's not like anyone who defected is going to go back and play for them, right?

[EmpireWF]

You can check out the rosters at the MLB website. You can see it broken down by MLB team, country and whatnot.

The Yanks aren't even sending any pitchers to the WBC.

[4bagger]

I hate this thing! It's a nice idea, I guess, but I agree with the poster who said the timing is terrible. Why would they decide to do this right in the middle of spring training. Why would any MLB team let any of their players go? If I was a GM, I wouldn't want any of my players involved. And what's the point of it anyway?

[Lefty Noob]

Don't you know? It's so we can get Team Cuba over here and steal all of their best players. I mean, duh!

Seriously, I think it's an attempt by MLB to try and get people's focus off of the whole steroid issue and onto something a little more fun and harmless. The game is suffering right now, and Selig knows he needs to try something radical to try and regain fan interest. And what promotes goodwill better than an Olympic style tournament?

[EmpireWF]

It's not even going to be serious competition in my book. I listened to a Bill Madden (longtime local baseball writer) interview last week, and he's as disinterested in it as you can be.

How international is it? The Italian team is mostly made up of Italian-Americans (like Piazza and Catallanato). South Africa has a baseball team?

They will be playing with the mercy rule. So if a team is up by a certain amount of runs, the game will be called.

If they ever wanted to get serious, they'd have to do it in November, but the players don't want it then so we're stuck with this.

[legend]

This is going to be a great event, just in time after the awful Olympic showing by our overhyped heroes. I have been writing articles all day about this Classic, and it is going to be really exciting. The US will have its hands full with the Dominicans and Venezuela, as well as Puerto Rico. We are in an easy pool to begin things, with Canada, Mexico, and outmanned South Africa. Our pitching staff is well suited for this format, with 10 relievers and 4 starters. Vernon Wells is hurt and probably out, but our infield matches up to anyone's and our catching is strong. I am a Yankee fan, but am delighted to have Varitek on this team!

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Per ESPN.com, Manny Ramirez will not participate in the WBC.

link

[Vladman]

The whole thing is just a a massive marketing survey. MLB wants to go international in the future, and they need something to gage interest. This is an experiment that benefits only MLB baseball, certainly not the fans who are going to be watching the games with their eyes closed, hoping their markee players don't hurt themselves.

[legend]

I have a feeling once this thing starts you are going to see how much the top teams involved are into it. Meaningful baseball in March is a bonus, who cares what the reason behind it is? I, for one, have never fretted about injuries during spring training. Vernon Wells got hurt lifting weights! What happens happens.
These Far East countries hate each other, that pool will be the most hotly contested. China has no players on their team with Major League ties, but the other three will be solid clubs. Venezuela has tons of pitching, the Dominicans lots of hitting. Cuba has their own team, with no major leaguers and Puerto Rico is also a bonafide threat.
There is going to be a lot of passion in most of these games, plus the Olympics is not going to have baseball after the next games. These are the Olympics of baseball,with the actual best from each country, except for those afraid of the drug testing like Bonds.

[ThePundit]

I agree with Vladman. This whole thing is just a tool to attract worldwide interest to sell jerseys.

Sorry Legend I have to disagree with you that these will be meaningful games.
How meaningful can they be when pitchers are on pitch counts?

And wait until someone blows their arm out. That's goanna be the end of US participation. If I were an owner, I would forbid my pitchers from pitching.

If I have a 50 million dollar asset, I would protect it at all costs.

[legend]

You would be seeing dollar signs as the chance to expand baseball is studied, meaning more money in your pocket! As for pitch counts, except for ozzie Guillen, what manager does not use them now? Every game you watch, no matter what time of year, has starters with pitch count limits, like it or not.
If this Classic was being held, and we did not try to send our best players while we watched the other countries pros beat us up, how many of you would be screaming for our best to get out there and play? All I know is I will follow this, and for my first two days in here I find this a pretty neat place to finally discuss sports with other fans!

[Lefty Noob]

Glad to hear that, legend. Hope you stick around!

Our first game isn't until March 7 against Mexico, followed up by a March 8 game against Canada and a March 10 contest with South Africa. I like our chances of getting at least into Round 2. How far do you think we can go?

[legend]

If we get thru the First Round, in which we play Mexico, Canada, and South Africa, we would play the teams coming from the Far East, which should be Japan for sure, and either Korea or Chinese Taipei. I cannot see us not advancing to the semis on March 18th in San Diego.