World Baseball Classic: Who will represent Canada?

[cyclone3483]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

But we've actually got a roster that could make some noise, I'd have loved to see what we could do if we had full access to that pitching rotation. Even from a pitcher's standpoint, I'd love to get the opportunity to work with arguably the game's best(and most athletic) catcher in Russ Martin.

Canada could have one of the best rotations in the toruny, if they were all healthy and dedicated. And I agree that Russ Martin makes the pitchers better. Hard to believe that he wasn't a catcher when he was drafted and he has just picked it up since becoming a pro.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Remember, Miikka Kiprusoff did the same thing for us in the 2006 Olympics(although part of me thinks he's just lazy and wanted the extended break). He royally p***** off alot of people in Finland for that, but I don't think any of us had a problem with it.

Finland is deep in net, canada isn't deep when it comes to arms. there definitely are two sides, and he makes a living playing for the cubbies so it's tough to blame him, but it would be nice to see him help canadian baseball.

[evman150]

A huge omission is Michael Saunders. He'd be a big bat in the middle of that order, is great defensively and would bookend Jason Bay perfectly in the outfield.

Unfortunately he is struggling to rehab from surgery in September. He told me he'd of course love to play but there's just no way, he's not looking good even for spring training.

Dempster's a puss. Play for your bloody country man. It would probably be one game, maybe five innings (haven't looked at the pitch count rules). Harden is perma-injured, Gagne sucks when he's off roids, Francis's ERA last year was revolting, Bedard is fata'd, and Loewen is an outfielder now. Our pitching looks disastrous.

[cyclone3483]

Pitching will be either a disaster or a revelation...more likely a disaster since all of the elite starters backed out.

The batting lineup should be solid, very dangerous. There are some indications that Joey Votto will be the DH (since we have Morneau at first), but might also do some outfield work. Also, Koskie is on the squad and might play third if healthy. And Teahen has been experimenting at 2B for KC.

Here is a potential batting order:

1-Adam Stern, OF, BAL AAA guy with speed
2-Russ Martin, C, 18 SBs, .385 OBPS
3-Justin Morneau, 1B, .300 AVG, 23 HRs and 129 RBIs
4-Jason Bay, OF, .286 AVG, 31 HRs, 101 RBIs
5-Joey Votto, DH, 24 HRs, 84 RBIs, .506 SLPCT
6-Matt Stairs, OF, .522 SLPCT over last couple seasons
7-Corey Koskie, 3B, 20 HR power
8-Mark Teahen, 2B, 15-20 HR power, 10-15 SB speed
9-Chris Barnwell, SS, FLA AAA player, with a little speed and good contact

The meat of that order is scary: Morneau, Bay, Votto, Stairs.

And the others all have some speed, some stick, or both.

Should be fun.

[phiten]

1.Stubby Clapp 2B
2.Russ Martin-C
3.Justin Morneau-1B
4.Jason Bay-CF
5.Joey Votto-DH
6.Matt Stairs-LF
7.Mark Teahen RF
8.Corey Koskie 3B
9. Pete Orr SS

Rotation-
1.Scott Richmond
2. Phillipe Aumont
3.By committee after that..

Bullpen-
CL-David Davidson
Set up-Jesse Crain

[cyclone3483]

Originally Posted by phiten

1.Stubby Clapp 2B
2.Russ Martin-C
3.Justin Morneau-1B
4.Jason Bay-CF
5.Joey Votto-DH
6.Matt Stairs-LF
7.Mark Teahen RF
8.Corey Koskie 3B
9. Pete Orr SS

Rotation-
1.Scott Richmond
2. Phillipe Aumont
3.By committee after that..

Bullpen-
CL-David Davidson
Set up-Jesse Crain

I like Orr at SS, but I get the impression they will have Barnwell take short...maybe a better glove?

[phiten]

Originally Posted by cyclone3483

I like Orr at SS, but I get the impression they will have Barnwell take short...maybe a better glove?

I don't no...Who ever has the better glove has to go there....we can't afford a single error the entire game.

With that said, maybe we will see matt stairs drawn out of the line up if a lefty is pitching...(We won't see anything but lefty's) say Ted Lilly..Votto DH..Stern would draw in I suppose as the starter----

[evman150]

Wow I just looked at the roster and they are REALLY hard up for pitching.

I'm friends with Vince Perkins' little brother. Vince has had a really hard time coming back from Tommy John. He really should not be on a team of this calibre.

And Bryan Dumesnil used to help out with my premier league team up in Nanaimo. I thought he was washed up. He's actually doing pretty well in the mid-minors. Who knew. Still shouldn't be on a team of this calibre.

And for those pencilling in Teahen or Stern or even Stairs, I'd be shocked if Nick Weglarz wasn't in the starting outfield.

And Brett Lawrie should not be on this team. I was umpiring the kid in the bc premier league last summer. He is good, but not senior national team best on best good. And he's definitely not a catcher. He doesn't even have a position.

[nickerjones]

Because im American and bias , it looks like the US lineup is pretty stout

C: Brian McCann
1b:Youkilis, Kevin
2b: Derosa or Pedroria
SS: Jeter or Rollins
3B: Chipper or David Wright ( by my SN you can tell im bias for my boy CHipper)
OF: Braum, Granderson, SIzemore

The pitching staff looks nice with Peavy, Lily, and Oswalt and a couple boys who can close down the games in Nathan and Bj Ryan.... not the greatest staff but it can get the job done

[Sainters7]

I just saw last night that Jeff Francis went for surgery and is done for the entire '09 season. Great...

[cyclone3483]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Because im American and bias , it looks like the US lineup is pretty stout

C: Brian McCann
1b:Youkilis, Kevin
2b: Derosa or Pedroria
SS: Jeter or Rollins
3B: Chipper or David Wright ( by my SN you can tell im bias for my boy CHipper)
OF: Braum, Granderson, SIzemore

The pitching staff looks nice with Peavy, Lily, and Oswalt and a couple boys who can close down the games in Nathan and Bj Ryan.... not the greatest staff but it can get the job done

Ya, they have to be the odds on favorite

[phiten]

The thing that Canada has over the US, is that ALL of these guys have played together from pretty much their teenage years. Albeit, this is not hockey..however walking into a clubhouse of all your buddies would increase performance I am sure over a bunch of money making machines (USA).

I remember hearing that just before the WBC two seasons ago, all the boys got together at a local rink here in Tampa and drank enough beers while play hockey to construct the stanley cup !

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

Locke was the MVP of our softball team.

And I've played against Major Leaguers! Bring it on!!

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

If they actually nail down that entire roster as posted, colour me impressed. That'd be fun to watch.

Originally Posted by StoneCole

I'm gonna' be catching the game on March 11...the way the tournament works It'll probably end up being USA-Venezuela, but with some luck, Canada will be involved.

Can't wait myself! I've got tickets to the US-Canada game. Waaaayyy up at the top, but can't beat the 12 bucks/ticket price.

[CrusaderPi]

A couple observations from the early games.

-kinda sucks for Taiwan, being eliminated before the tournament starts.
-I don't understand why China is using an old English "C" on their cap. It looks silly. In fairness, their jerseys look really sharp with the same lettering.
-The Chinese shortstop (American born) was unreal
-The color commentator in the Taiwan-Chine uttered the phrases "I know all these guys look the same" and "the little guy / that little guy". An easy 8 on the unintentional comedy scale.
-And why would Sportsnet cut away from a 3-2 game in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on? Split screen anyone? Anyone?

-I love having a former Edmonton Cracker-Cat (and Sherwood Park A's and Montreal Expos) member starting the opening game for Canada.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

A couple observations from the early games.

-kinda sucks for Taiwan, being eliminated before the tournament starts.
-I don't understand why China is using an old English "C" on their cap. It looks silly. In fairness, their jerseys look really sharp with the same lettering.
-The Chinese shortstop (American born) was unreal
-The color commentator in the Taiwan-Chine uttered the phrases "I know all these guys look the same" and "the little guy / that little guy". An easy 8 on the unintentional comedy scale.
-And why would Sportsnet cut away from a 3-2 game in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on? Split screen anyone? Anyone?

-I love having a former Edmonton Cracker-Cat (and Sherwood Park A's and Montreal Expos) member starting the opening game for Canada.

No idea but it was really irritating. I had no plans whatsoever of watching the WBC today but that Nederlands/DR game sucked me in early.

[Machiavelli]

So what happened in the NED/DOM game? I was also watching right when it was gut-check time and they switched over.

[CrusaderPi]

Der Nederlands held on for the upset. Couldn't tell you how though.

[Machiavelli]

Ooh, Votto with a late RBI double. 6-5 U.S. in the top of the 9th, Canada has 2 outs.

Bay at the plate.

[CrusaderPi]

No dice. The Canadian team is scrappy, I'll give them that.