2/18/09

More WBC Dropouts




Scott Kazmir - Tampa Bay won’t allow him to play because of their concern with injury. He pitched a lot of innings last year taking them through the playoffs and he missed 44 days last season. The Rays were able to convince major league baseball that those 44 days were close enough to 45 to allow the team to prohibit him from playing.

Derrek Lee - Dropped out because he was told that Kevin Youkilis would see most of the time at first base. So when choosing between sitting the bench in the WBC or working out with his team Lee chose to report to the Cubs camp instead.

Aramis Ramirez - He was going to be a back up to A-Rod so rather than be a backup he was also going to join Lee and report to the Cubs spring camp.

Placido Polanco - Wanted to devote his efforts to the team, and that team is the Detroit Tigers and not the Dominican Republic. You can guess which team is paying him more for his participation.

Nelson Liriano - He would rather prepare for the major league season with the Twins than play in the WBC for the Dominican Republic, so he is considering not playing in the WBC. This would be a big blow to the Dominican Republic pitching staff, having already lost the big bats of Albert Pujols, Carlos Pena, Vladimir Guerroro and the pesky bat of Placido Polanco losing a stud pitcher significantly weakens what was a strong Dominican team.

Juan Rivera - Wants to get ready for the season by reporting to spring training.

from WOB

2 comments:

Ed Ryan said...

mack,

have you heard anything about Evans working at 2B. Mets.com just up dated their depth chart and listed evans at 2B. It would make sense since his glove is better and Murph is projected at 1B. I think prior to 2008 B-Mets were considering it. Might be a typo but was just curious..

Mack Ade said...

No, but I can find that out... will get back to you.

BTW - I will be there on Monday... let me know what you need to know.

Mack