This spring, we will witness the fourth iteration of the World Baseball Classic (WBC). I call it Bud Selig’s attempt to copy soccer’s World Cup. It’s an interesting concept, and the idea is noble. We’d like to see the game globalized and allow amazing athletes on the other side of the globe to prove their abilities as “baseball” players instead of soccer, basketball, or rugby, or cricket. But there are a lot of problems with organizing this event, and in the end, it creates complications for major league baseball. Many of which make the players more injury prone. But let’s look at some of the problems I have with the WBC.
How can you say the team represents Italy when there are very few (sometimes “none”) Italian-born players on the team?
I can repeat the same for France, Israel, the Czech Republic, and others. You allow players with some ancestral ties to a country to play for them as representatives, even though they don’t speak the native language and have never lived in the country they represent (some having never set foot in the country). Essentially saying that “France” is playing the U.S. is completely inaccurate, as the French team is made up primarily of U.S. players with a relative (such as a grandfather) from France. These rag-tag assemblages end up playing an All-Star team of US citizen players. Calling those players French is a farce. At least in the World Cup of Soccer, the French team that was defeated in the finals last month by Argentina had African-born players that lived in France, and spoke French; many were naturalized French citizens. You can’t say the same for the WBC.
This doesn’t apply to all countries, but a lot of the final qualifying teams fall in this boat, most notably Great Britain, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Israel. I noticed that in the qualifying rounds, a country like Argentina, made up entirely of its own countryman, got blown out and didn’t come close to qualifying, being eliminated by baseball-rich Panama and Nicaragua. If the WBC had strict citizenship and/or residency requirements, the actual teams in the finals would be cut in half. Either that, or we’d see blowouts and mercy rule games when the USA would compete against a country with very little baseball background and resources.
The timing of the tournament is problematic.
Baseball is the one sport with such a long season that t is very difficult to find the ideal time for this tournament. The organizers have determined that during March (American baseball’s Spring Training), is ideal. Perhaps that is the best time, but it is definitely a disruption. March is when hitters are working out the kinks and getting their timing in focus. For pitchers, they are stretching out their longevity and attempting to get geared up for a major league workload. This is a recipe for injury. Especially in the quarter, semi, and final rounds when games are played before large crowds and in a playoff-type atmosphere. Try to keep a pitcher like Julio Urias from overthrowing in a WBC semi-final representing his country before 45,000 fans at Maimi’s LoanMart Field. He will be excited and won’t want to leave a close game when he knows that his bullpen is filled with minor league AAAA players at best.
Crowning a champion after seven games against seven different opponents is a bit ridiculous.
But how else are you going to do it? Other sports, such as basketball, hockey, and soccer, are more conducive to round-robin tournament play that can crown a legitimate champion. Not baseball. At least in the respective competitive baseball leagues around the world, there is a season of games with a substantial amount of play that legitimizes the participation of certain teams. Here, you drop these final 20 teams into the tournament after a non-lengthy qualification tournament, and then the winner will probably end up with a 7-0 or 6-1 record in WBC finals play. Now that is a crap shoot. Well, a crap shoot between Japan, Korea, the USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and possibly the Netherlands. No other team has much of a chance to win this thing. Can you seriously expect Israel, the Czech Republic, or Italy to compete for the title?
The Mexico/Canada debacle and run differential rules
WBC rules encourage teams to run up the score. There is a run differential rule that breaks ties in the group stage of play. So, if you get blown out in a game, it behooves you to not only win the next one but to win big or risk elimination. That’s what happened in 2013, Mexico vs. Canada. Canada was up 9-3 in the 9th inning, and their leadoff hitter bunted for a base hit. Canada had lost by a big margin in earlier competition, and they needed to have a win by a big margin. The opponent didn’t quite understand this. Former Dodger Luis Cruz, Mexico’s third baseman, essentially signaled through gestures for his pitcher to hit the next batter. A subsequent brawl ensued. The highly partisan pro-Mexico crowd in Phoenix had to be warned to not enter the field of play. Some haymakers were thrown, and punches actually landed.
This wasn’t one of those baseball brawls where many of the guys rolled on the ground laughing at the bottom of the pile; this was a real fight. Larry Walker was Canada’s first base coach, and he got a hold of Mexico’s Adrian Gonzalez and held him back. Told him his health was much more important to baseball than that particular game. It was a pretty ugly brawl combining an interesting mix of conflicting cultures, a misunderstanding of the run differential rules, and some perceived broken rules of baseball etiquette. Baseball has been functioning for 150 years under certain norms, and the WBC asked those to be broken with their tie-breaking format. I am unsure if those rules have been changed for the current format of games in 2023.
The WBC’s impact on the Dodgers
With patterns and routine being key to a team’s success, the WBC distraction just might hurt the Dodgers the most, based on the number of key players they have that will participate. It should be noted that Philadelphia has Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Realmuto agreeing to play, Bryce Harper was on the list, but due to his offseason surgery, he is out now. The Phils have the next highest amount of participants from one team.
With the WBC starting right in the middle of Spring Training, the Dodgers lose key components that are a “must” for their 2023 success. These are four All-Star caliber players that will be away from the team for two weeks. This shouldn’t break their season, but it certainly distracts from normalcy and could impact games in the early season. The following Dodgers will be participating in the WBC:
Mookie Betts – (USA), Clayton Kershaw – (USA), Will Smith – (USA), Julio Urias – (Mexico), Dino Ebel (coach) – (USA)
Tournament play will run from March 8-21, where the USA team’s pool play against Canada, Colombia, Great Britain and Mexico will take place at the Diamondbacks Chase Field from March 11-15. Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the Championships will be played at Miami’s loanMart Field from March 18-21.
Discussion (28)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The Dodgers would’ve been better served cutting ties immediately after he was reinstated. That would’ve sent a clear message they want nothing to do with the player. Waiting until the very last minute doesn’t present a favorable picture for the LAD. Bauer’s statement makes matters worse. Personally, I find it puzzling it took two weeks to reach this decision.
Least surprising bit of national news today.
https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/1611525214839664642/photo/1
Bauer has released a very interesting statement.
All I can say is whatever. Think the Dodgers FO/Ownership are weak and impotent with the TB release, but they want to protect the brand and found themselves “between a rock and a hard place.” Keep him and have the woketards come out in droves (just take a look at TBLA-they are relishing in his release) or “cut your losses” and avoid any backlash and bad media.
Ownership has to really do a “deep dive” and examine the signing in the first place. I realize AF could not predict what TB might do, but if past practice is a precursor to future performance one might have logically concluded TB should have been avoided. I’m thinking the old adage “if it’s predictable it’s preventable” and if AF followed that sage advice he might have avoided the signing in the first place.
Time to move on and now that we’re so close to the CBT limit that we want to avoid going over, I assume the FO is done acquiring any additional talent since the only real big contract(s) that can be moved would be CT3 and Muncy and I don’t see anyone taking those contracts.
About 35 days (?) until pitchers and catchers arrive at CBR. Lets Go Dodgers!
Mark, will you be offering Bauer a job with US Water Systems?
I hope he signs with the Padres or Astros! That’ll be fun. Time to move on like with all players that leave. The saga officially ends.
I thought AF was smarter than this. Apparently wasting 22M in cap space is a wise move on his part in a season where we’re trying to stay under.
I will look at this optimistically, this is a better chance to let Pepiot, Miller and Stone have their shot. Maybe one of them will be even better.
All part of the master plan by Friedman.
The Mets are ready to throw in the towel with Correa and Andrew will jump in and sign him. Who’s going to object to signing a guy who bangs trash cans when you’ve just cut Bauer loose.
We’ll give Correa a one year, $50MM contract but Boras will insist we include an opt out after the All Star game.
In case you think I’m just making this up, I have a contact very close to the powers that be. His name is Joe and he’s an usher right near the Dodger office.
Here are the DFA rules as opposed to outright releasee:
Return the player to the 40-man roster (a step which gives a “designated for assignment” process the incentive of allowing teams to change their mind).
Place the player on waivers, which allows another team to claim that player, which is different from becoming a free agent.
Trade the player. This happened in May 2006, for example, when the Texas Rangers traded pitching reliever Brian Shouse to the Milwaukee Brewers within four days of the DFA. Could the Brewers have waited until the player went to waivers so they could pick him up on a waiver claim? Sure, but then they would have risked the other teams—higher in the waiver priority order—getting house first.
Release the player. More on this in a bit.
Move the player from a 40-man roster into minor league baseball
This could be an extension of time to give AF the ability to get something for him and also get some salary relief. There is still 7 days left to this saga. By the way, this also could eliminate teams low on the waiver list from getting him.
Essentially we can summarize that it was a San Diego groupie that took down the organization.
I predicted exactly what they were going to say- No longer a part of our organization. Well this puts an end to a MONUMENTAL blunder by Friedman, a blunder that may have cost them at
the very least a world series appearance, and maybe a world series itself. Would I have made the same blunder??? ABSOLUTELY. Amazing Pitcher. And a time bomb. BOOM!!!
Sorry guys, first thought , pussies for caving. Hope he goes to Tex
https://twitter.com/jeffpassan/status/1611516525428490240?s=46&t=HEON5EjfP87cxXKQ9klWWg
As Gomer would say. “Surprise surprise”. Bauer never had a chance with the LAWD’s! Bear I think you said it would be insane to designate him but they did it anyway! 22.5 mil to protect the brand!
Sounds like Dodgers are DFAing Bauer. Will be interesting to see who picks him up.
Bauer has been designated for assignment
So, the Dodgers had two weeks to make a decision. Do you really think they’re still mulling their options? I wonder why they’re using every last minute to announce what’s going to happen.
Eric, when someone says they’re sick and tired of arguing with you, why keep it going the next day? You have your opinion, others have theirs. Most people have an exchange and then they’re done. You always want it to go on forever.
The Dodgers lost TT, JT and Cody. They have guys that can fill their positions. Some might be better, some might be worse. Miggy is a bat first top prospect. There’s no reason to believe he can’t OPS 800. I compared him to three ROY finalists last year and two of them were just below 800 and one was around 850. None were top prospects. JT didn’t hit as well as they did, so why is it that Vargas can’t finish with those numbers when he’s a higher rated prospect than any of them were?
You were all in on Outman last year, but you want to argue the opposite with Bear yesterday. What changed for you? Outman, CT3 and Thompson can all play CF. All of them have a great chance to put up a better OPS than Belli did last year.
You think JDM is done? Even though he had an OPS near 900 before he was injured last season. It’s not unreasonable to think his OPS can’t be better than the 809 that Trea posted last season. Even while he was injured, he wasn’t far off. He’s going back to his favorite hitting coach, a reasonable person would think that would help.
So, what’s the problem? If you’re insistent that those things can’t happen, then you’re the one that’s being hard headed and unreasonable. Why can other team’s prospects do well, but ours can’t? This doesn’t make any sense to me, or Bear apparently.
What I think we can agree on,
1) Bauer was accused of wrong doing.
2) Bauer denied that wrong doing.
3) Bauer’s accuser did not appear to be credible
4) The Pasadena DA’s office did not find that the case warranted prosecution.
I believe those are facts
Bear
After I went to bed last night you did another post and still didn’t know why I was comparing Bellinger and the 2 Turners to Martinez, Vargas, Outman.
It’s simple to understand, 3 guys from last season left (Bellinger and the 2 Turners) and 3 guys are going to replace them (Martinez, Vargas, Outman). It’s that simple to understand.
And you said this “Not going to argue with him anymore. He has his opinion and I am never going to agree with it.”
So you’re not agreeing that 3 starters from last year (Bellinger, 2 Turners) left and 3 guys (Martinez, Vargas, Outman) are going to replace them? What?
Now you can say maybe Vargas and/or Outman won’t replace 2 of the 3 guys that left, but that’s what it looks like right now.
OK, Listen Up:
It is rude and unacceptable to say, “I really don’t care to hear about what you think is acceptable or not acceptable in the bedroom. Thanks for posting.” Maybe if someone says the same thing over and over, but that’s not what happened here!
However, I understand what happened
Bobby posted this:
“So I’ve not commented on Trevor Bauer, except for the fact that I question anyone who thinks it’s fun or sexy to punch a woman in the vagina during sex, EVEN IF SHE ASKED FOR IT! A man with common sense would tell that girl, no matter how hot she is or how drunk he is, “hell no!” and leave. I think Bauer is actually an idiot.
Had I been around, I would have responded to Bobby like this:
1. The woman said that Bauer punched her in the face repeatedly, but then the Pasadena Police that showed the Woman the morning of the second encounter, smiling in bed with not a bruise in sight. So, that was a lie!
2. Bauer has denied that he punched her.
3. The only evidence that he punched her is her words and she has proven on multiple occasions to be misleading or outright lying.
So, my question to Bobby would be: “Why would you even mention that he punched her in the vagina when he has denied it, and she had been proven to be unreliable at best?
I have no problems taking someone to task, but I do not think it right to” Disss” them.
That’s all!
I do not expect the Dodgers to keep Bauer and I do not expect them to release him either. I have no opinion as to what will happen.
This used to be America, where we treated people as innocent until proven guilty, we had freedom of speech. But the Woke Mob has taken control of much of the news cycles, however they are in the minority on this issue. This decision will not be made by Andrew Friedman. It will be made by Mark Walter, and will all the Woke Mob and their self-righteous Virtue Signaling overwhelm the majority? It will be a sad day if it happens and the Dodgers will rightfully be re-named The Los Angeles Karens!
We keep on bringing up a potential trade for Reynolds, who isn’t a good center fielder and whom the Pirates indicate they aren’t particularly anxious to trade.
I’d like to submit another name, also not too likely to be available, Cedric Mullins.
Mullins is a much better center fielder and is also a major stolen base threat. Same amount of control remaining, 3 years. I’d rather have him.
There’s at least a little more importance of WBC that with the ASG. I see both as something that some players just want on their resumes. When their already playing on the biggest stage that’s MLB and will always be MLB as the elite’s destination is probably why the rules allow MLB players to represent outside countries. Instead of promoting pro MLB players playing to represent in an attempt to richen our sport they should find a way to expand youth baseball as that is the tried and true formula that made the sport what it is today here at home. Baseball would be nowhere if it wasn’t played by us when we were kids. Baseball is a great ambassador for peace but it takes baby steps.
Happy Bauer Day everybody! The saga should be put to rest today.
What makes more sense? See what we have in Outman, Trayce Thompson, Jason Heyward, Michael Busch, CT3, Johnny Deluca and Andy Pages for outfield options this Spring and stay under the CBT for a year, or trade away our ace ceiling prospect pitching prospect and a couple more top prospects for Brian Reynolds?
The Pirates acquired Brian Reynolds, never a top prospect from the Giants along with a relief pitcher that no one can remember for Andrew McCutchen. Cutch had just one year of team control at the time. Cutch had just one more season with an 800+ OPS and Reynolds had 3. What happens if Outman is better than Reynolds this season and Miller turns into Garrett Cole for Pirates? It could happen.
I like watching the WBC to some extent, but agree it’s a weak attempt at baseball’s version of the World Cup. But, think long term on this. USA soccer is becoming more and more popular. Baseball is very popular in South Korea, Japan, Cuba and Mexico. Let’s keep building the sport and someday, other countries will begin to have some level of popularity for the game.
The Dodgers have had a hell of a run this past decade and much of it had to do with the prospects they brought forward. Tippy Top Prospect Corey Seager helped bring us a ring. Top Prospect Cody Bellinger won an MVP. Not a Top Prospect Will Smith is one of the top catchers in the game. Alex Verdugo served a purpose on the team and as trade bait. Let’s see where this next batch takes us, reset the cap, and re-evaluate at the trade deadline.
So I’ve not commented on Trevor Bauer, except for the fact that I question anyone who thinks it’s fun or sexy to punch a woman in the vagina during sex, EVEN IF SHE ASKED FOR IT! A man with common sense would tell that girl, no matter how hot she is or how drunk he is, “hell no!” and leave. I think Bauer is actually an idiot.
However, none of us have all the facts, so we can’t say for sure if he’s innocent or guilty. But, if the Dodgers waive him today, I”m guessing they did it after deep, well though out, discussions and reasons. Im sure they will have factored in every pro and con in keeping him.
As we’re told here often, “Friedman is playing chess, while we’re all playing checkers.” If we still believe that’s true, then I’ll assume Friedman the chess player considered every single detail (and likely they have more inside info than has been made public) to come up with today’s decision.
I personally now hope we don’t just waive him. But if the Dodgers decide to waive him, it’s not because they caved to the pressure of the loud minority. It’s because, as we’re always told, “they play chess”, and the proper chess move was to waive him. I’ll assume they did their chess-like due diligence with Bauer like they do with every trade or FA signing they make.
1. Urias
2. Bauer
3. Kershaw
4. Gonsolin
5. Thor
Let May close
I agree with your first point, there should be stricter rules about who can play for a countries national team. But I love the concept of the WBC and baseball in the Olympics and think the disruption in spring training is worth it. The players would be playing games anyway, the pitchers just have to limit their innings the same way they would in spring training.
They probably start throwing a little earlier in the off season to prepare for this and get additional rest during the season. Players tell us spring training is too long anyway.
Hey, it’s fun and so what if the format is flimsy, this is good for the game.
Great write-up, Evan. Frankly, I had forgotten about it.
It should be fun to watch and weird to see Freddie Freeman play for Team Canada.
It is good, and it is bad.
It will be fun to watch and Fox will broadcast it.
There will probably be injuries that can be tracked to the Classic – I hope it does not impact the Dodgers.
BTW, Carlos Correa is talking to another team… allegedly. I think this is a case of where two cheaters (Boreass and Correa) tried to pull a fast one.
Great stuff Evan. If memory serves me right, wasn’t Hanley Ramirez injured in a game in 2013? I think he hurt his hand diving for a ball. I dislike the WBC simply for the fact that it puts players in a difficult position. I understand representing your country, but baseball is far from an international sport. Even the Olympics were dominated by the baseball powers.