New York Mets manager Buck Showalter sighed. This is because preparation for the season has been disrupted as a large number of key players have been selected for the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which will be held in March.
The New York Post, a media outlet in New York, USA, reported on the 8th (Korean time) that “12 players from the New York Mets will participate in the 2023 WBC.”
New York Mets infielders Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeill, pitchers Brooks Reilly and Adam Ottavino were selected for the WBC U.S. Team. Infielder Francisco Lindor, pitcher Edwin Diaz and catcher Michael Perez were selected for the Puerto Rico team, while infielder Eduardo Escobar and catcher Omar Navaez were selected for the Venezuelan team. Pitcher José Quintana will also appear in the WBC wearing a Columbia uniform. 바카라
Among them, Alonso, McNeil, Lindor, and Escobar were key players who were in charge of the Mets’ infield last year. All have digested more than 130 games, and Lindor and Alonso are key members of the Mets, enough to play in more than 160 games. Closer Diaz, who recorded 32 saves last year, and Pil Seung-jo Ottavino, who played 66 games, are also the core of the mound.
However, the Mets have to play exhibition games without them and prepare for the season. The WBC begins on March 8 and runs until March 22, when the finals are scheduled. The opening day of this year’s MLB regular season is March 31, and the exhibition game schedule overlaps with the WBC tournament schedule.
It is frustrating for Showalter as director. According to the media, Coach Showalter said, “It is exciting and proud for players to be selected and compete in the WBC,” but “I have no choice but to think selfishly for the Mets. It would be interesting to see how many of each of the 30 major league teams make it to the WBC. In order to maintain a certain level of competitiveness in the demonstration game, we must not give any team an advantage.”
Coach Showalter continued, “It reminds me of the time when I was lucky enough to coach the 1995 All-Star Game. I want to win the game, I want to put all the players in. But the important thing (at the WBC) is for everyone to come back healthy,” he said, wishing the players a safe return.