My 2013 USA World Baseball Classic squad

 

I put together a roster of players I think have a good chance of making Team USA's 2013 World Baseball Classic team - while it may not be a potential dream team [no Bryce Harper, no Mike Trout, no David Price, no Stephen Strasburg or Buster Posey for example], I'm going for realistic, competent roster that can still can compete with the other WBC teams.

 

Starting pitchers (4) - I'm going on the idea that Major League Baseball teams are going to try and protect any premium pitching talents, particularly starting pitchers

Kevin Millwood
Jason Vargas
Aaron Cook
Jamie Moyer - I assume he still wants to pitch, what else is he going to be doing at 50?

 

Relievers (9) - besides Perez, Wilhelmsen and Bundy, maybe guys off the scrap heap and/or guys who have bounced around in recent years.

Chris Perez
Tom Wilhelmsen
Scott Atchison
Jeremy Accardo
Aaron Heilman
Dylan Bundy - my 'luxury item' as far as the pitching staff, he is the top pitching prospect in professional baseball.
Andrew Miller
Joe Beimel
Neal Cotts

 

Lineup (8) - I tried to build a balanced lineup with guys that can run, make some contact and hit for power.

 

CF - Will Venable - not a star but can do a little bit of everything.

SS - Danny Espinosa - has pop for a middle infielder.
LF - David Murphy - an underrated talent from the Texas Rangers.
RF - Giancarlo Stanton - my 'luxury item' as far as position players go.
1B - Billy Butler - for the WBC, he'll be my starter at first base.
C - A.J. Pierzynski - adds some swagger and general douchiness.
3B - Chris Nelson - while not a star, he became a decent regular in 2012.
2B - Kyle Seager - an emerging everyday player for the Seattle Mariners.

 

Bench (7) - some old guys for veteran presence and leadership off the pine.

Utility - Pete Kozma
Utility - Adam Kennedy
3B - Josh Bell
OF - Scott Podsesnik
OF - Mark Kotsay
C - Michael McKenry
1B - Mitch Moreland

Angel down in the outfield and in the bullpen

A three-game sweep of the AAA Pacific Coast League San Diego Padres over the weekend and a win against the San Francisco Giants Monday night doesn't necessarily inspire confidence - the Angels are far from a good team, despite a record over .500[33-29].

Now, Angels' centerfielder Torii Hunter will likely be out a several games - he bruised his ribs after slamming into a wall Monday night in San Francisco.

If he is out for a prolonged period of time - it will be a major blow to the team.

'Spiderman' has earned his keep as the face of the Halos franchise in 2009 - making spectacular catches and it looks like he is having a career year at the plate.


I tend to think participating in the World Baseball Classic maybe a curse for pitchers in the Major Leagues - just look at Jake Peavy [out for a month], Roy Oswalt [down year], Joel Hanrahan [lost his job as a closer], Matt Lindstrom [not very good so far], J.J. Putz [out with an injury], et al.

Now set-up ace and WBC participant Scot Shields is out for the year and with his prolonged struggles two years ago, his implosion this year and the number of innings he has pitched – it isn’t unreasonable to think he may done as the lights-out set-up guy Angels fans expect to see on a regular basis.