Jordan's article on closers got me thinking about one of my favorite topics, a proper World Cup of Baseball where MLB players would compete. In particular, his "2006 dream staff" caught my eye.
Jordan's dream staff amde me think of the current status of Canadian players. Who would be part of a Team Canada roster if a World Cup of Baseball were held this offseason? We'll assume everyone is healthy and ready to go, and try to settle on a lineup of some description.
Clearly, there are eight guys who were on opening-day rosters who would be favoured to make a 23-man roster - thirteen position players and ten pitchers. Those are Dempster, Reitsma, Quantrill, Cormier, and Gagne as pitchers, and Stairs, Walker, and Koskie in the field. Jeff Zimmerman would be a cinch if everyone were healthy.
Danny Klassen is probably the first-klass choice at one of the middle infield positions. Cody McKay would be a good choice as a catcher, but he'd get competition from Quebec youngster Maxim St.-Pierre who is in the Tigers organization. It would be very hard to say no to Justin Morneau as well. Stubby Clapp is doing well at AAA Richmond, and let's face it - he 's STUBBY FREAKIN' CLAPP! He must be included.
Ryan Radmanovich is playing in Mexico... I don't know how his stats translate, but he has been a part of previous teams and he can play the outfield, and so can Aaron Guiel, who is hitting very well (.302/.427/.440) at AAA Omaha. Todd Betts (in Japan with the Swallows) is a possibility at first base and pinch-hitter. Kevin Nicholson might be a good choice to back up in the middle infield... he doesn't hit much, but his best competition (Dave Detienne) doesn't hit much either... Braves farmhand Pete Orr is the other candidate, and probably could outhit either with one hand tied behind his back but his defense might not be as good, I don't know. Jason Bay is another outfielder who would be a useful piece and probably would the number one pinch hitter. Jeff Guiel probably isn't going to bring enough to the table yet.
An infield of Koskie, Klassen, Clapp, and Morneau might be the best bet, with Stairs in leftfield/DH (if the DH is used, put Guiel in left) and Walker in right, and Radmanovich in center and McKay, I guess, behind the plate. Betts, Guiel, St.-Pierre, Nicholson, and especially Bay would be a reasonable bench. I'd love to have Morneau back up at catcher and bring another bat, but it might make more sense to have two catchers.
Rich Harden would clearly be one of the four starters along with Dempster, Reitsma, and I guess Aaron Myette. The bullpen is the best feature with Cormier, Quantrill, Zimmerman and Gagne as a two-inning man at the end in close games. Steve Green would be a good choice to bring along as well (remember we're assuming perfect health), and he'd compete with Eric Cyr, Erik Bedard, Mike Myers, Jeff Francis, Mike Johnson, and even Vince Perkins for two slots.
Any other suggestions?
Jordan's dream staff amde me think of the current status of Canadian players. Who would be part of a Team Canada roster if a World Cup of Baseball were held this offseason? We'll assume everyone is healthy and ready to go, and try to settle on a lineup of some description.
Clearly, there are eight guys who were on opening-day rosters who would be favoured to make a 23-man roster - thirteen position players and ten pitchers. Those are Dempster, Reitsma, Quantrill, Cormier, and Gagne as pitchers, and Stairs, Walker, and Koskie in the field. Jeff Zimmerman would be a cinch if everyone were healthy.
Danny Klassen is probably the first-klass choice at one of the middle infield positions. Cody McKay would be a good choice as a catcher, but he'd get competition from Quebec youngster Maxim St.-Pierre who is in the Tigers organization. It would be very hard to say no to Justin Morneau as well. Stubby Clapp is doing well at AAA Richmond, and let's face it - he 's STUBBY FREAKIN' CLAPP! He must be included.
Ryan Radmanovich is playing in Mexico... I don't know how his stats translate, but he has been a part of previous teams and he can play the outfield, and so can Aaron Guiel, who is hitting very well (.302/.427/.440) at AAA Omaha. Todd Betts (in Japan with the Swallows) is a possibility at first base and pinch-hitter. Kevin Nicholson might be a good choice to back up in the middle infield... he doesn't hit much, but his best competition (Dave Detienne) doesn't hit much either... Braves farmhand Pete Orr is the other candidate, and probably could outhit either with one hand tied behind his back but his defense might not be as good, I don't know. Jason Bay is another outfielder who would be a useful piece and probably would the number one pinch hitter. Jeff Guiel probably isn't going to bring enough to the table yet.
An infield of Koskie, Klassen, Clapp, and Morneau might be the best bet, with Stairs in leftfield/DH (if the DH is used, put Guiel in left) and Walker in right, and Radmanovich in center and McKay, I guess, behind the plate. Betts, Guiel, St.-Pierre, Nicholson, and especially Bay would be a reasonable bench. I'd love to have Morneau back up at catcher and bring another bat, but it might make more sense to have two catchers.
Rich Harden would clearly be one of the four starters along with Dempster, Reitsma, and I guess Aaron Myette. The bullpen is the best feature with Cormier, Quantrill, Zimmerman and Gagne as a two-inning man at the end in close games. Steve Green would be a good choice to bring along as well (remember we're assuming perfect health), and he'd compete with Eric Cyr, Erik Bedard, Mike Myers, Jeff Francis, Mike Johnson, and even Vince Perkins for two slots.
Any other suggestions?
