WBC Team By Team

Yesterday, the final rosters were announced for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Personally, I love the WBC and can’t wait for it to start. I’m a big soccer fan, so I love international tournaments. I think if more players take the tournament seriously, it can grow into something really huge world wide and expand the game.

The timing is the major issue with the WBC and why many players don’t want to or aren’t allowed in the tournament. I believe it should be after the season, but I understand the worry of having pitchers throwing too many innings.

Anyway, I’ll do a post later on how to improve the WBC, today I’m just previewing the teams.

1. USA- The most stacked team in the tournament (Or maybe DR), but how well did that do them in ‘06? Position wise, I think this team got the right people for each position. This team can hit the long ball with the likes of David Wright, Ryan Braun, and Grady Sizemore. But they will also have great contact hitters in the likes of Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, and Curtis Granderson. Team USA needs Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt to be strong starters. It hurts the USA that they won’t have some of the best pitchers playing, such as C.C. Sabathia and Josh Beckett.  The back end of games won’t be a problem at all with guys like J.J. Putz, Brian Fuentes, and Joe Nathan.

2. Dominican Republic- The only other team in the WBC that, along with the USA, has all major leaguers on the roster, and just as many stars. They gained USA defector Alex Rodriguez, but lose a major piece in Albert Pujols, all because the insurance won’t cover his elbow. The DR is deep at shortstop with Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes. They also have David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre. It will be interesting to see if ‘08 or ‘09 Robinson Cano will show up. The outfield isn’t very impressive, the best player there is Jose Guillen, and that’s not that great. Edisnson Volquez leads the starting pitchers on the team. However, their pitching strength will probably come from the relievers.

3. Japan- The ‘06 world champions come back with their mostly 2006 team intact. Ichiro leads the offense. Daisuke Matsuzaka leads the pitching staff. Stud Japanese youngster Yu Darvish will also be pitching, and I believe he will be a thrill to watch much like Dice-K was in 2006. Hideki Okajima will miss this year’s tournament and Hideki Matsui will once again be absent. Many on this team still play in Japan, except a few notable names. However, just because they don’t play in America, don’t think they aren’t as skilled as those who do (See the 2006 WBC as an example).

4. Puerto Rico- This team has talent, though they are not as deep as the above teams. Pitching is a very weak spot on Puerto Rico, Javier Vasquez will be their ace. They are deep at catcher with Yadier Molina, Geovany Soto and Ivan Rodriguez. They also have some good bats in first baseman Carlos Delgado and outfielders Carlos Beltran and Alex Rios. Mike Lowell will be missed at third.

5. Cuba- This team is still kind of a mystery. Cuba doesn’t give too much information  away on their rosters, in fear of their players being lured to defect to the U.S. to play for major league teams. All I know is that 2006 WBC stand outs pitcher Pedro Lazo, and hitters Yuliesky Gourriel and Federich Cepeda will return.

6. Venezuela- The absence of Johan Santana will hurt this team from having a completely dominating rotation with Carlos Zambrano, Felix Hernandez and Armando Galaragga, but they should be okay with just those three. Francisco Rodriguez also gives team Venezuela a big advantage at the end of the game. The offense is also there with infielders Miguel Cabrera, Melvin Mora and outfielders Bobby Abreu and Magglio Ordonez. I believe Venezuela can make a deep run.

7. Canada- It’s such a shame that injuries and fear of being re-injured has kept starting pitchers Ryan Dempster, Rich Harden, Jeff Francis and Erik Bedard off the final roster. Otherwise, Canada could have been a real dark horse candidate in the tournament.  The lack of pitching is glaring on team Canada’s roster, with just reliever Jesse Crain as the best pitcher on it. The offense will be there on this team with first basemen Justin Morneau and Joey Votto, catcher Russel Martin, outfielders Jason Bay, Matt Stairs and Mark Teahen.

8. South Korea- Korea only has one major leaguer on the team in Clevleand Indian’s outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who is impressive. Korea will be missing hitter Seung-Yeop Lee, who led the ‘06 team in homers, and pitchers Chan Ho Park and Bying-Hyun Kim. These absences might hamper Korea’s chances as improving upon 2006’s surprise showing in the WBC.

9. Mexico- One of the weakest Latin American teams. Starter Oliver Perez and closer Joakim Soria are the top pitchers on the roster. Yankee’s minor leaguer and spot starter Alfredo Aceves will be missed by Mexico. The best offense Mexico has is first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and second baseman Jorge Cantu.

10. Italy- Italy’s team consists of many American born second and third generation Italian-Americans. Pitching is weak on Italy, starter Lenny Dinardo and relievers Mark Defelice and Jason Grilli. Cubs prospect pitcher Alex Maestri was the first Italian born player to sign with a major league team and he could turn into a good pitcher. Infielders Frank Catalanotto, Nick Punto and Dodger minor leaguer Val Pascucci who did well for Italy in the 2006 WBC. Catchers Mike Napoli and Sal Fasano opting not to play for Italy hurts them offensively.

11. Panama- Panama is the weakest of the Latin American teams. Manny Acosta and Manny Corpas are the only major league pitchers on the roster. Panama could of used closer Mariano Rivera, but he can’t pitch every inning of every good. At least they have a great hitter in outfielder Carlos Lee, but that’s about it.

12. Netherlands- The Netherlands are one of the best European teams, but will be one of the bottom teams of the tournament. The Netherlands will miss Shairon Martis who threw 7-no hit innings in the 2006 WBC and young Braves pitching stud Jair Jurrjens. Sidney Ponson and Marlin prospect Rick VandenHurk lead the pitching staff for the dutch. Former major leaguer Randall Simon is the only recognizable name on offense. Missing  from this year’s WBC is Andruw Jones, though not sure if he would have contributed much the way he’s played in recent years.

13. Australia- Australia has 19 players that are in the minor leagues. Angel’s minor leaguer Rich Thompson is the only pitcher with major league experience, 2 innings and a 22.50 ERA. Ray’s reliever Grant Balfour decided to skip the WBC, he would have been the best pitcher on the team. Outfielder Justin Huber and Phillie’s minor league shortstop Brad Harman, who batted .429 leading off for Australia in the last classic, lead their offense.

14. Chinese Taipei- CT feature 9 minor leaguers, but none at the current Major League level. Taiwanese superstar and star Yankee pitcher Chien-Ming Wang has once again decided not to play, which devastates Chinese Taipei’s chances of winning a game.

15. South Africa- South Africa has 5 minor leaguers on their roster, 4 pitchers and 1 hitter. South Africa is still a very young nation to baseball. They got beaten up badly in 2006, it will be interesting to see how or if they improve this year.

16. China- China will probably compete with South Africa at being the worst team in the tournament. China, like South Africa, is a young nation to baseball. There are 3 minor leaguers on China’s roster, 2 pitchers, and 1 catcher. 1 pitcher also plays in Japan.

I will have my WBC predictions published sometime next week.

“Kid” Nostalgia

The Seattle Mariners have brought back beloved slugger Ken Griffey Jr. The contract is worth around $2 million with the possibility to reach $4.5 million in incentives.

This move is purely a sentimental move. The Mariners will not compete in 2009, so bringing Griffey back will help attendance and give fans a nice warm feeling about the team. For Griffey it’s a move back to glory days where he was on his way to be one of the best baseball players in history.

Griffey won’t add much to this team. He is old, can’t play outfield very well anymore, and won’t produce much offensively. The DH spot will help him and he will get some homeruns. He will also have a positive impact on younger players and the clubhouse.

I laughed when Harold Reynolds on MLB Hot Stove said that this move makes the Mariners a serious threat in the West. Adding Griffey won’t magically turn back the Mariners clock into a time they were good.

Random Thoughts

Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been pretty busy lately and not too much has happened in the baseball world since the A-Rod news. In a few weeks, when a few more free agents sign, I will start posting my previews.

* Alex Rodriguez will have a press conference at 1:30 p.m today, he needs to fill in all the holes he left in the Peter Gammons interview. He should clarify more his usage of PEDs. Also, I want to hear him say steroids and not culture.

* The Bobby Abreu signing for the Angels helps their offense a lot. Abreu is no Teixeira, but the Angels couldn’t just let Teixeira go and not do anything. Serious pay cut for Abreu who made $16 million last year, at least he’s got next year to test free agency again.

*I understand why Adam Dunn took the National’s offer, because it was the most money, but if I were him I would of just tried to get a one-year deal and take another stab at being a free agent next winter and be hopeful the market improves.

* Tom Glavine is about to re-sign with the Braves and I believe that is a good move for both.

* Still hard to believe that Spring Training has started and there are still free agents like Manny Ramirez, Orlando Cabrera, Orlando Hudson and some good relievers available. Someone has to sign them, right?

Yankeeography: Alex Rod…um I mean Yogi Berra

Flipping through the channels and I see on my guide Yankeeography is on YES. The info said Alex Rodriguez. Of course it wasn’t the Yankeeography of A-Rod, but of Yogi Berra instead. Don’t think that was a programming error.

A-Rod Comes Clean

A-Rod has come clean today about his past PED use, the hour long interview will be aired on ESPN tonight at 6 p.m.

Right move by Alex. I believe his statements also.

What He Must Do

The legacy of Alex Rodriguez probably can never be salvaged. Even if he has been clean since 2003, he will be forever be labeled as a liar and cheater. Alex is a great player who didn’t need steroids, he put his legacy on the line to do something many other players were doing, and he’s paying for it.

A-Rod hasn’t made a comment yet, but he needs to. A-Rod should hold a press conference and tell everything, every small  detail as to why he did it, why he lied, everything. He should talk about his legacy being forever tarnished and fully apologize. Accountability is everything.

A-Rod has been in NY long enough to know how this scenario works. Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte admitted to past PED use and have been forgiven by the media and fans, even praised for coming clean. Everyone knows how ugly things can get if you go the Roger Clemens route.

It’s unfortunate for A-Rod that he was the only one named out of 104 players who tested positive for steroids out of 1,200 major leaguers. It’s unfortunate for A-Rod that some people illegally leaked his results. It’s unfortunate for A-Rod that his own union failed to protect the players and destroy the results like they were supposed to. It’s unfortunate for A-Rod, but it is also karma.

Repeatedly, A-Rod had denied use of steroids while other superstar’s legacies have been tainted forever around him. He was one of the “clean” players, and was to be ultimately the savior to baseball’s most hallowed record tarnished by the “unclean” Barry Bonds, the homerun record. Now it is out that he’s tarnished just like the others, that’s karma.

Baseball has taken a hit also. A-Rod being exposed is like if Babe Ruth in his prime was exposed as a cheater.

A-Rod needs to come out and face the music, no matter how bad that music will be. That will be his only chance at redemption, his only saving grace.

A-Rod Tests Positive in 2003

Sports Illustrated has reported that A-Rod tested positive for steroids in 2003. Among A-Rod, there are 103 other players who also tested positive in 2003, that is a lot of players.

I’m sure once Spring Training starts next week, the media will focus just on baseball and not something from the past.

ESPN $40 Million Draft

Over at ESPN.com, baseball analysts Rob Neyer, Buster Olney, Steve Phillips, Jayson Stark are doing a fantasy draft where they have to build a 25-man roster for around $40 million. Each day they do 5 rounds. Then Monday playoffs start.

The no. 1 payroll faces the no. 4 payroll, and the no. 2 payroll faces the no.3 payroll. The winners then face off in a championship on Wednesday. The winner of the championship then faces off against the Yankees on Thursday. All games will be simulated by ImagineSports.com.

It’s an interesting read, though their chat gets corny at times and I still can’t stand Steve Phillips.

So far, I think Buster Olney has the best team.

New Links

On the sidebars I added some new links. For each team I added two links to blogs. One for the best beat writer’s blog for a team (though the blog is not always a beat writer for the team), the other for the top fan blog for that team.

I tried to base the choices on the blogs I felt were the best, how popular the blog is, and how often it is updated.

I’m not familar with many of the blogs, so if fans of certain teams feel that there is another team blog out there that is better, feel free to send me an e-mail.

Hot Stove: Where Will They Go? Part Deux

It’s February and there is still a ton of free agents available. I won’t do a top ten list like I did a few weeks ago, rather some of the free agents who aren’t on the list.

RP Juan Cruz- Someone has to pick up this guy right? He is hurt by being a middle reliever and a type A free agent. I believe the Yankees still make the most sense, because they would only have to give up a fourth rounder for Cruz. However, the Yankees don’t seem to be interested, but I think eventually they will sign him.

SS Orlando Cabrera- Think the Giants regret giving all that money to Edgar Renteria, while they could of got a better shortstop for half the price? Not sure where he can go, seems to be very little interest, but I can see him going back to the team he won a World Series with, the Boston Red Sox. He’s much better than Julio Lugo and can give more time for Jed Lowrie to develop. If the price is right it would be a good fit.

3B Joe Crede- His back issues raises some questions, but he is still a decent third baseman. The Twins seem to want him, but I am going to say the Giants sign Crede.

OF Ken Griffey Jr.- I don’t think he will be one of the veteran free agents who are forced to retire because of the lack of interest. I say Griffey still goes back to the Seattle Mariners.

P Pedro Martinez- The Mets signing of Oliver Perez probably disappointed Martinez, who was hoping to return to Queens. There are rumors of the Pirates really wanting Martinez, but I’m going to say he goes to the Phillies. The Phillies seem to be looking for another starter that is cheap and could be good.

P Braden Looper- I think he goes to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are looking for a inexpensive decent veteran starter.

INF Nomar Garciaparra- Nomar would be a great bench pick up for a team. I see the Yankees signing him, they need a good bench player and I don’t think Cody Ransom is the answer.

C Ivan Rodriguez- Pudge can still play. I think he goes back to the Marlins as their back-up catcher.

LF Garret Anderson- Not sure where Garett will land. He can still hit, but he is more of a DH type than a left fielder. The Mariners make sense if they don’t sign Griffey. I’ll say Anderson lands with the Mets.

LF Moises Alou- The Phillies seem to have an interest in Alou. Not sure why they do, I thought his career was over when he got hurt last season. But he can hit when healthy, and the Phillies want to add a right handed bat, so I say he goes there.