World Baseball Classic Update

While I have proposed that the Braves use a bullpen by committee over at Talking Chop, I still feel that Chris Reitsma is our strongest and most reliable reliever (when healthy), and the best option if we choose one closer. It seems almost certain, now that Gagne has dropped out of the WBC, that Reits will be the closer for team Canada. This will be a better audition than closing out games in spring training.

For all of the flack that the WBC is taking, it may give certain players a chance to shine on a major stage with better competition than they would face in spring training. Spring games are exhibitions after all, while WBC games are supposed to mean something (I believe its nationalistic pride, but I’m not quite sure yet).

I wonder how worn out people will be after watching the Winter Olympics and rooting for their ‘country.’ Will they have any more of that ‘nationalistic pride’ left? And will it be an odd thing when they boo team USA in a bar in Boston as the lineup is read that includes Jeter, A-Rod, and Damon, and cheer for a Dominican Republic team that features Ortiz and Manny.