USA World Baseball Classic 2013 roster announced

[pwaldo]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

2013 Team USA roster
Player Pos. Team
Mark Teixeira 1B Yankees
Brandon Phillips 2B Reds
Jimmy Rollins SS Phillies
David Wright 3B Mets
Joe Mauer C Twins
Ryan Braun LF Brewers
Adam Jones CF Orioles
Giancarlo Stanton RF Marlins
Ben Zobrist INF Rays
Willie Bloomquist INF D-backs
Shane Victorino OF Red Sox
Jonathan Lucroy C Brewers
J.P. Arencibia C Blue Jays
R.A. Dickey SP Blue Jays
Ryan Vogelsong SP Giants
Derek Holland SP Rangers
Kris Medlen SP Braves
Craig Kimbrel RP Braves
Heath Bell RP D-backs
Chris Perez RP Indians
Vinnie Pestano RP Indians
Luke Gregerson RP Padres
Glen Perkins RP Twins
Steve Cishek RP Marlins
Jeremy Affeldt RP Giants
Tim Collins RP Royals
Mitchell Boggs RP Cardinals

[gps29070]

Not that bad of a roster, certainly better then I expected. Some good bats and a good 1-2 starters, although neither will pitch more then a few innings in each game.

[ajcorleone]

That is a killer outfield

[metsmagic18]

I think this offense is much better than last WBC... I was there... the outfield is a killer, and not a bad infield either. The starting pitching isn't too bad, but besides Kimbrel, what is that pen???

[BigBaller23]

^ I was thinking the same thing. The pen seems to definately be our week point heading in.

[jayohhessaych]

Team USA has a better looking roster than I suspected, but Venezuela looks SCARY.

[baseballboy2]

This roster seems pretty weak if you look at the overall caliber of players in the U.S.

[Ledd Raubstur]

I've always had mixed feelings about the WBC. I think it can be detrimental to pitchers from MLB.

Think about it. You have all these guys pitching for their home countrys against literally the greatest players in the world after being layed off for a few months. They really don't 'warm up' and stretch out their arms enough like theycan afford to in MLB spring training and I think they push themselves harder than they should at that point and risk injury. Besides the fact they add extra innings to their year.

Look at Dasuke Matsuzaka. He pitched his heart out in the '09 WBC, got injured during the MLB season that year, and has never the same since. Did over exertion in the WBC become a factor? Very possibly...

I could be wrong but don't you think it's interesting that Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia (arguably 6 of the top 10 starting pitchers in MLB and USA eligible) aren't going to be in the classic?

I'm just glad as a Dodger fan Kershaw, Greinke or Beckett didn't join the USA team

Anyway, GO USA! If we loose, no big deal since overall looks like we put in our B team and C pitching staff. I don't know how some of you think our outfield is 'killer'. If Matt Kemp and Mike Trout would have joined, then it would be a killer outfield.

[angel0430]

Venezuela has a BEAST of a roster. The USA team is OK. There are better players but they are too "good" to represernt their country.

[jayohhessaych]

MLB network says Verlander will likely be taking the last open spot. That would be a big bump for that rotation.