2009 World Baseball Classic: Good Idea or Looming Disaster?

by 0157H7 on Mar 2, 2009 12:36 PM EST in News

The second World Baseball Classic begins in three days, and our beloved Red Sox are well-represented in the tournament. 15 players from the organization are attending, tied for most in MLB (with the Mets). Notable attendees include Pedroia, Youkilis, Bay, Ortiz, and Matsuzaka, (see full list here). In other words, one of our best pitchers and a good deal of the lineup is participating in the WBC.

As pointed out by Adam Kilgore in the Boston Globe, the remaining Spring Training games will at most feature five regular starters: Jed Lowrie, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Julio Lugo and Jason Varitek.* MLB has a rule that spring games should start with at least four major leaguers in the lineup, and the Sox are unlikely to be able to satisfy that requirement.

I have mixed feelings about the WBC. Mostly, I think it's a great idea. For baseball to grow, it needs to be promoted around the world. With more countries participating, the level of play will rise and the sport will be better for it. Also, the games themselves should prove entertaining to watch.

On the other hand, playing games that matter early in Spring Training always incurs the risk of injury. Back in the inaugural WBC, Mike Timlin pitched three games before coming down with a tired arm, and he had a poor regular season that year (4.36 ERA, 4.40 FIP). This article discusses other examples, such as Bartolo Colon, who pitched the second-most innings of participants (14) and proceeded to miss most of 2006 to injury. Thankfully none of our real injury risk pitchers (Smoltz, Penny, Saito) are participating, but the possibility of anything happening to Daisuke is troubling.

Another issue is the effect on Spring Training. I doubt MLB will sanction the Sox for not fielding the required four major leaguers in every game. Seeing more of Lars Anderson can't hurt, but the ST games are going to be less fun to watch without familiar faces like Youk, Pedroia and Papi.

So what do you think about the WBC? Are you excited? Worried? Angry? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and don't miss the poll.

*I'm guessing the WBC has a quota on the number of players whose names begin with "J."

Poll

What's your reaction to the WBC?

It must be short for Worst Balderdash [ever] Conceived.

37 votes

I think it's an interesting premise, but I don't like how it affects the team.

139 votes

I'm excited about the tournament and think it's a great idea.

133 votes

With my powers of awareness and tinfoil hat, your poll's insidious mindrays have no effect on me!!!

12 votes

321 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Daisuke Matusaka

pitching in the Classic worries me the most. We’ve seen this guy is still adjusting to a full Major League season (which has yet to do). Something like this Classic offers nothing but negatives for the Sox pitchers, particularly him.

No wonder Johnson couldn’t get U.S. pitchers to participate in this thing – it’s too dangerous this time of the year. MLB hurlers are not ready for this much work this soon.

by ccthemovieman on Mar 2, 2009 3:07 PM EST reply actions

Matsuzaka worries me, period

Injuries + his tendencies to walk the ballpark + lucky BABIP = potentially dodgy 2009 season

However, I don’t think Matsuzaka’s problems would be fixed by being in camp instead of hanging out in the WBC; it’s just that various Japanese teams and other world squads will be beating him up in ST instead of the Twins, Orioles, etc.

by morineko on Mar 3, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

There’s evidence his BABIP isn’t lucky. He is different from most MLB pitchers in that he NEVER gives in and throws anything over the middle of the plate. He’d rather walk batters than give them anything to hit. So when they do make contact it’s usually weak.

by Toe Nash on Mar 3, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

I’ll grant you that via observation of him, but I would definitely give it another season to make sure that is indeed what he’s doing in MLB. I hope it works in the long-term, but it’s definitely not a strategy I’d want any of the other pitchers trying to repeat.

by morineko on Mar 3, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Matsuzaka's BABIP

Yep, Dice-K nibbles. That’s one of the reasons that he didn’t go deep in games in 2008. In his rookie year, he averaged 6.40 IP/GS. Last year, he didn’t even average 6 innings per start (5.78 IP/GS). The latter number is awful for a top-of-the-rotation-starter, and puts enormous stress on the Sox’ pen.

Whether or not there’s method to Dice-K’s lack of control, we’ll have to wait and see. As for his BABIP, here’s the breakdown:

2007:
v. LHB – .295
v. RHB – .306
2008:
v. LHB – .286
v. RHB – .234

Time will tell, but I think one could make a good argument that Matsuzaka was lucky last year (especially against righties).

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Mar 3, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Its hard to make any conclusions about Dice-K; he is such a unique pitcher. Whether lucky or not though, you are right that he has to start going deeper into games. We have a strong bullpen, so I’m sure he’ll rack up the win totals again, but in order to become a true top starter he will have to show some ability to limit the walks, keep the pitch count down, and not rely on the pen.

by BTLove on Mar 3, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

About the Major Leaguer Rule

I’m sure the Redsox can play bench players, you never mentioned the likes of Kotsay and Wilkerson, etc.. but either way, I think your right in assuming we will not be punished by the MLB

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

by sox-inda-south on Mar 2, 2009 4:24 PM EST reply actions

Kotsay's injured.

WBULTV - BDale TV Prod

by bdalebs on Mar 2, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Wilkerson is on a Minor League Deal...

by Tommyville Sluggers on Mar 3, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

Other: Hey, that’s the acronym for my username!

But seriously, though, I voted for “I think it’s an interesting premise, but I don’t like how it affects the team.”

Adopted Giant: Clayton Tanner (unless someone tells me he's already been adopted)

by walkoff baltimore chop on Mar 2, 2009 5:14 PM EST reply actions

Ditto

To the latter, of course.

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Mar 4, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Pro-WBC

I absolutely love this thing. I just wish there was a way for all the players to be available.

Its time, just like in Bejing, for the US to show everyone that this is our game, we invented it, we are the best at it.

I love this so much I actually cheer for Derek Jeter….I cant believe I just wrote that.

As for Dice-K, the guy throws so many pitches I really doubt this will effect him much. Its not like the Sox weren’t going to sit him during the season anyways.

by SoxAcumen on Mar 2, 2009 6:46 PM EST reply actions