Team USA announced its provisional roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Joe Torre will manage the team and each squad must submit its final 28-man roster, including a minimum of 13 pitchers and two catchers, by February 20th. The first round of the World Baseball Classic runs from March 2-6 in Japan, from March 2-5 in Taiwan, from March 7-10 in Puerto Rico and from March 7-10 in the United States (Phoenix). The second round runs from March 8-12 in Japan and from March 12-16 in the United States (Miami). The semifinals and finals are from March 17-19 in the United States (San Francisco).
Shane Victorino, Adam Jones, Ryan Braun and R.A Dickey are were among the players who had previously announced their commitment While the squad features some of the games greatest stars, Team USA will do without the likes of Buster Posey, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw and David Price. The tournament takes place during spring training, placing a premium on players availability and risk. Many superstars simply opt out, or are discouraged by their respective teams about participating.
Still Torre was excited about this year’s team. “With this year’s club, I knew what I needed to do,” Torre told MLB.com. “(Just about) every single player on this list, I talked to personally. Every single one of them is excited about the prospects of representing the USA in this Classic and that makes me excited. I managed a long time and I played a long time, we have a lot of ability but the thing that sets us apart is the desire and determination and pride you take in playing this game of baseball and I sense that from the guys on this club.”
USA Baseball’s 2013 World Baseball Classic Provisional Roster
Jeremy Affeldt – San Francisco Giants – LHP
J.P. Arencibia – Toronto Blue Jays – C
Heath Bell – Arizona Diamondbacks – RHP
Willie Bloomquist – Arizona Diamondbacks – UTL
Mitchell Boggs – St. Louis Cardinals – RHP
Ryan Braun – Milwaukee Brewers – OF
Steve Cishek – Miami Marlins – RHP
Tim Collins – Kansas City Royals – LHP
R.A. Dickey – Toronto Blue Jays – RHP
Luke Gregerson – San Diego Padres – RHP
Derek Holland – Texas Rangers – LHP
Adam Jones – Baltimore Orioles – OF
Craig Kimbrel – Atlanta Braves – RHP
Jonathan Lucroy – Milwaukee Brewers – C
Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins – C
Kris Medlen – Atlanta Braves – RHP
Chris Perez – Cleveland Indians – RHP
Glen Perkins – Minnesota Twins – LHP
Vinnie Pestano – Cleveland Indians – RHP
Brandon Phillips – Cincinnati Reds – IF
Jimmy Rollins – Philadelphia Phillies – IF
Giancarlo Stanton – Miami Marlins – OF
Mark Teixeira – New York Yankees – IF
Shane Victorino – Boston Red Sox – OF
Ryan Vogelsong – San Francisco Giants – RHP
David Wright – New York Mets – IF
Ben Zobrist – Tampa Bay Rays – UTL
