09 World Baseball Classic

[epper]

All the patriotic sporting fever generated by the Olympics has got me really excited for the next World Baseball Classic. With NBA and NHL players participating in their respective sports in the Olympics, we all know olympic baseball just doesn't have the same feel to it.

Now that major league players have been through the inaugural event, I really think everyone won't be so hesitant to accept the invitation to play in the WBC. I believe Ichiro called it the "greatest moment of his career". Or something like that.

That being said, what's your ideal roster for the upcoming WBC? Post your 25-man roster ideas for whichever country you like. I'll do Canada (obviously).

Rotation

Rich Harden - CHC

Erik Bedard - SEA

Ryan Dempster - CHC

Jeff Francis - COL

Relief

Adam Loewen - BAL

Scott Richmond - TOR

Jesse Crain - MIN

Shawn Hill - WAS

Scott Mathieson - PHI

Rheal Cormier - Former MLB

Phillippe Aumont - SEA (AA)

Eric Gagne - Closer - MIL

Lineup

1. CF - Adam Stern (Former BOS)

2. C - Russell Martin - LAD

3. 1B - Justin Morneau - MIN

3. LF - Jason Bay - BOS

5. RF - Matt Stairs - TOR

6. DH - Joey Votto - CIN

7. 3B - Mark Teahen - KC

8. SS - Pete Orr - WAS

9. 2B - Stubby Clapp (Former STL)

Bench

OF - Mike Saunders - SEA (AAA)

C - Luke Carlin - SD

1B/OF - Scott Thorman - ATL (AAA)

C/INF - Brett Lawrie - MIL (A)

IF they can get all the stars to come out a play for Canada, this could be a decent squad. Probably not enough to compete with the States, Japan and DR, but better than the '06 team.

[randyc]

You might want to remove Loewen from the team all together, he's done pitching and I highly doubt he'll be a good enough hitter again by spring time to make the team.

[epper]

You might want to remove Loewen from the team all together, he's done pitching and I highly doubt he'll be a good enough hitter again by spring time to make the team.

y'know what, i didn't even know he was trying to pull an Ankiel. In that case, i'd replace him with Chris Begg, AAA pitcher for the Giants.

[NEW.ERA]

That roster is good enough to contend or even at a shot at winning the whole thing, but lets just hope most of them don't drop out

[ldswoosh33]

USA team based on stats leaders in each position:

Rotation (Wins)

Derek Webb - ARZ

Aaron Cook - COL

Cliff Lee - CLE

Mike Mussina ? NYY

A.J. Burnett - TOR

Relief (ERA and Saves)

Brian Wilson - SF

Joe Nathan ? MIN

Jonathan Papelbon - Closer - BOS

Jake Peavy - SD

Roy Halladay - TOR

George Sherrill - BAL

Billy Wagner - NYM

Brad Lidge - PHI

Lineup (Batting Avg and HR)

1. CF ? Jonny Damon - NYY

2. C ? Joe Mauer - MIN

3. 1B ? Lance Berkman - HOU

3. LF ? Matt Holliday - COL

5. RF ? Josh Hamilton- TEX

6. DH ? Ryan Howard - PHI

7. 3B - Chipper Jones - ATL

8. SS ? Alex Rodriguez - NYY

9. 2B ? Ian Kinsler - TEX

Bench (Batting Avg and HR)

OF ? Adam Dunn - ARI

C ? Beian McCann - SD

1B/OF ? Ryan Braun - MIL

C/INF ? Dan Uggla - FLA

[randyc]

USA team based on stats leaders in each position:

Rotation (Wins)

Derek Webb - ARZ

Aaron Cook - COL

Cliff Lee - CLE

Mike Mussina ? NYY

A.J. Burnett - TOR

Relief (ERA and Saves)

Brian Wilson - SF

Joe Nathan ? MIN

Jonathan Papelbon - Closer - BOS

Jake Peavy - SD

Roy Halladay - TOR

George Sherrill - BAL

Billy Wagner - NYM

Brad Lidge - PHI

Lineup (Batting Avg and HR)

1. CF ? Jonny Damon - NYY

2. C ? Joe Mauer - MIN

3. 1B ? Lance Berkman - HOU

3. LF ? Matt Holliday - COL

5. RF ? Josh Hamilton- TEX

6. DH ? Ryan Howard - PHI

7. 3B - Chipper Jones - ATL

8. SS ? Alex Rodriguez - NYY

9. 2B ? Ian Kinsler - TEX

Bench (Batting Avg and HR)

OF ? Adam Dunn - ARI

C ? Beian McCann - SD

1B/OF ? Ryan Braun - MIL

C/INF ? Dan Uggla - FLA

I know that's based on stats but, I'd think Halladay would be starting over Cook in a tournament like that, plus Utley over Kinsler at 2nd.

[CC97]

USA team based on stats leaders in each position:

Rotation (Wins)

Wins is a terrible way to determine a good pitcher

[BBTV]

Scott Mathieson - PHI

That guy will probably never throw another pitch in his life.

[fiasco!]

Who's this Derek Webb character?

[Brass]

Who's this Derek Webb character?

This is the best I can do. Apparently he's not only a musician, but a damn good pitcher for the Diamondbacks as well.

Oh and his discography is actually the names of all his pitches. With "My Calm, Your Storm" and "How to Kill and Be Killed" how can you not be intimidated as a batter?

[Drew22]

Who is Beian McCann on San Diego?

[Joshawaggie]

USA team based on stats leaders in each position:

Rotation (Wins)

Wins is a terrible way to determine a good pitcher

Livan Hernandez has 10!!!

!!!! !

[epper]

here's my US lineup. A few tweaks on the previously posted team, taking into account more than just 08 stats.

Rotation

Roy Halladay - TOR

Tim Lincecum - SF

Jake Peavy - SD

Brandon Webb - ARZ

Relief

Dan Haren - ARZ

CC Sabathia - MIL

Joba Chamberlain - NYY

Scott Kazmir - TB

Joe Nathan - MIN

Brad Lidge - PHI

JJ Putz - SEA

Jonathan Papelbon - Closer -BOS

Lineup

1. SS - Derek Jeter - NYY

2. CF - Josh Hamilton - TEX

3. LF - Matt Holliday - COL

4. 3B - Alex Rodriguez - NYY

5. RF - Lance Berkman - HOU

6. 2B - Chase Utley - PHI

7. DH - Ryan Braun - MIL

8. 1B - Kevin Youkilis - BOS

9. C - Joe Mauer - MIN

Bench

INF - Chipper Jones - ATL

C - Brian McCann - ATL

INF - Jimmy Rollins - PHI

OF - Curtis Granderson - DET

next up, the Dominican Rep.

[Drew22]

Team USA

Starters:

C-Brian McCann-ATL

1B-Ryan Howard-PHI

2B-Ian Kinsler-TEX

SS-Derek Jeter-NYY

3B-David Wright-NYM

LF-Matt Holiday-COL

CF-Josh Hamilton-TEX

RF-Xavier Nady-NYY

Bench (A combo of):

C-Joe Mauer-MIN

1B-Prince Fielder-MIL

2B-Dan Uggla-FLA

3B-Evan Longoria-TB

SS-Jimmy Rollins-PHI

LF-Carl Crawford-TB

CF-Grady Sizemore-CLE

RF-Jermaine Dye-CHW

Starting Pitchers:

CC Sabathia-MIL

Tim Lincecum-SF

Brandon Webb-ARI

Roy Halladay-TOR

Jake Peavy-SD

Relievers:

Joba Chamberlain-NYY

Jonathan Papelbon-BOS

J.J. Putz-SEA

Joe Nathan-MIN

Huston Street-OAK

Brad Lidge-PHI

Brian Wilson-SF

[maz]

Who is this Zavier Nady?

[epper]

Dominican Republic

Rotation

Pedro Martinez - NYM

Francisco Liriano - MIN

Edinson Volquez - CIN

Ervin Santana - LAA

Relief

Bartolo Colon - BOS

Wandy Rodriguez - HOU

Daniel Cabrera - BAL

Fernando Rodney - DET

Francisco Cordero - CIN

Damaso Marte - NYY

Salomon Torres - PHI

Octavio Dotel - CHW

Jose Valverde - Closer - HOU

Lineup

1. SS - Hanley Ramirez - FLA

2. CF - Alfonso Soriano - CHC

3. DH - David Ortiz - BOS

5. LF - Manny Ramirez - LAD

4. 1B - Albert Pujols - STL

6. RF - Vlad Guerrero - LAA

7. 3B - Aramis Ramirez - CHC

8. 2B - Jose Reyes - NYM

9. C - Miguel Olivo - KC

Bench

INF - Miguel Tejada - DET

C - Ronny Paulino - PIT

INF - Robinson Cano - NYY

OF - Carlos Gomez - MIN

Look at that lineup. If all the stars come out, that will be a fun team to watch, with some great young pitching they didnt have the first go-round.

[KDubK414]

When did Salomon Torres get traded to the Phillies?

[The Nation]

When did Salomon Torres get traded to the Phillies?

Current MLB clubs are irrelevant to this conversation, so please stop nitpicking.

The Dominican team is deadly..OMG. Big Papi, Man Ram, Pujols and Vlade...... a real meaty middle of the order.

[Shumway]

Venezuela

Rotation

Carlos Zambrano - CHC

Felix Hernandez - SEA

Johan Santana - NYM

Kelvim Escobar - LAA

Relief

Anibal Sanchez - FLA

Freddy Garcia - DET

Rafael Betancourt - CLE

Wilfredo Ledezma - SD

Carlos Silva - SEA

Gustavo Chacin - TOR

Jorge Julio - ATL

Francisco Rodriguez - LAA

Lineup

C - Victor Martinez - CLE

1B - Carlos Guillen - DET

2B - Josh Barfield - CLE

3B - Miguel Cabrera - DET

SS - Omar Vizquel - SF

OF - Magglio Ordonez - DET

OF - Bobby Abreu - NYY

OF - Juan Rivera - LAA

Bench

Endy Chavez - NYM

Maicer Izturis - LAA

Dioner Navarro - TB

Jose Castillo - PIT

Jose Lopez - SEA

[BaltimoreFan]

Dominican Republic

5. LF - Manny Ramirez - LAD

I thought Manny Ramirez was an American citizen and would therefore have to play for team USA.