2017 World Baseball Classic

With training camps coming to an end and the World Baseball Classic wrapping up, one has to ponder what the season will hold for MLB clubs this coming season?

The event itself was a huge success and from what I am hearing this was probably the first time that players in the clubhouse were watching the Classic rather than pick a winner for March Madness.

I am hearing that players who never played in this years event are looking at signing up for the next one and for those who followed this in the sports bars the money changing hands was impressive.

If we look south of the border for the Seattle Mariners, we are told that they sent six of the 40-man roster plus an additional five from the  Clubs Minor League system to the World Baseball Classic.

Second baseman Robinson Cano and DH Nelson Cruz played for the Dominican Republic, while Felix Hernandez will be pitching for Venezuela.

One of the newest Mariners Drew Smyly was added to the roster as one of the 10 starters who will be in the pitchers pool for Team USA and could possibly be used at a later date.

Both Cano and Cruz are in the event for the third time and played for the Dominican in 2009 and 2013, which says a lot about the talent of both players.

We are told that each club/team has the option of using the designated pitcher pool (DPP) whereas a team can use up to 10 DP’s, but are not able to have more than two on its active roster at playing time.

It’s interesting to note that only two other franchises have more than the 11 sent by Seattle, which are Detroit (15) and the Mets who have 13.

While the WBC has hit a home run with the fans, apparently it has also hit a home run with the players as well several of whom are asking about the next WBC.

Other news out of the Mariners camp has Daniel Vogelback starting the season playing for in Triple-A for the Tacoma Rainers.

I am hearing that 49 year-old Pat Listach, who was selected by Milwaukee in the 5th round of the 1988 draft will be returning  for his third season as Manager and will be assisted by Lance Painter.

Under the tutelage of Listach has led the Rainers to an impressive 81-62 record as well as a PCL Northeastern Division title in 2016, which was the first one dating back to 2010.

Sticking with pro experience I should mention that Listach was also named the 1992 Rookie of the Year following an impressive season with 54 stolen bases and hitting .290.

So traveling south to take in a game in either City isn’t all that far south of the 49th.

Make plans to attend a game as long as your travel plans don’t conflict with the Vancouver Canadians playing at the “Nat”.