Soriano & Marmol on D.R. WBC Initial Roster

by bren on Nov 16, 2008 2:30 PM CST

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081110&content_id=3672454&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Link from MLB.com detailing the Dominican Republics initial roster, or available players might be more appropriate, its pretty stacked; including our two Cubs, Soriano and Marmol.

As you might expect, their group of prospects is ridiculously talented, especially for such a small nation. Included in the group:Tejada, Ortiz, H.Ramirez, Soriano, Marmol, Volquez, Guerrero, Manny, Carlos Pena, Jose Reyes and even our dear old Sammy Sosa.

As for the US, their initial pool, while not containing any current Cubs, though a few Cubs targets, consists of Arod, Howard, Utley, Jeter, Upton, Ibanez, Braun, Holliday, Joe Mauer, Cliff Lee, Jake Peavy, Huston Street, Lidge,Jenks and surprisingly Mike Mussina, amongst others. US ROSTER

So there is obviously an injury concern for any players involved, but with rosters so stacked, and pitch counts enforced, its difficult to imagine any pitcher getting over used.

The D.R.s group includes Panama, Puerto Rico and The Netherlands. So they should walk through Panama and Holland rather easily.

One would imagine Soto will play for Puerto Rico and Fukudome for Japan as well. Im looking forward to it, the last one was very entertaining and should satisfy your pre-Spring Training Baseball itch.

The tournament runs from March 5-23, 2009. Japan is the reigning champion

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 34 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I hate this tournament

Only because I am scared to death that our pitchers are gonna get hurt. Marmol is already going to have a season full of stressful innings, so giving him a bunch of stress filled innings in March doesn’t sound nice to me.

On the other hand, maybe Soriano will have a hot start to the season with some extra weeks of games.

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #12 8-2 (4-2). Next up at Iowa State . Jeremy Maclin, Jeremy Maclin, Jeremy Maclin.

by nji232 on Nov 16, 2008 2:36 PM CST reply actions

both good points

by Glacier on Nov 16, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

I think people worry too much about injuries in these types of tournies...

If youre a baseball fan, I dont see why you would LOVE this; where else can you see all these players at the same time….its amazing.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Nov 16, 2008 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

wouldnt

the 06 tourny was great, who thought Japan would win? And Variteks game tying Grand Slam against Canada was awesome

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Nov 16, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions

I didn't think Varitek's HR was awesome at all!

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Nov 17, 2008 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

The games themselves are awesome, and its always nice to watch baseball

Its just that pitcher’s arms are so important, especially Marmol and especially since we don’t want Wood back. Harden is another guy who could be on a team, but really doesn’t need more innings on his arm.

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #12 9-2 (5-2). Next up kU at Arrowhead. BIG 12 NORTH CHAMPS!

by nji232 on Nov 16, 2008 3:54 PM CST up reply actions

I recall Soriano being terrible during the first WBC,

as he struck out a bunch of times. He also played 2nd base and converted to outfield right after the tourament ended.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2008 3:46 PM CST up reply actions

Wait, Sori struck out?

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Nov 17, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

Shocking, huh?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 19, 2008 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe Harden and Dempster can play for Canada

And Z, Blano and Cedeno can play for Venezuela.

And Aramis and Felix could also try out for the DR, but the competition will be tough, as you demonstrated.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Nov 16, 2008 2:54 PM CST reply actions

I think Z said no already

But I hope Harden is smart enough to say no as well, i dont recall him being on the 06 team

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Nov 16, 2008 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

I know Z...

… blamed the WBC on his slow start in 2006. Doing that probably threw him off his spring training routine.

That’s one reason the spring season has been extended by a week, so that players can get BACK into their routines when it’s over.

I think it’s something to look forward to, and between the new MLB Network and ESPN, all the games will be televised.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2008 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

I am really looking forward for to the WCB!

Who doesn’t want MORE baseball!

by xene on Nov 16, 2008 3:02 PM CST reply actions

*WBC

by xene on Nov 16, 2008 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

WhyTF is Aramis not listed for the DR?

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on Nov 16, 2008 3:32 PM CST reply actions

Because they already have Sammy Sosa?

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #12 9-2 (5-2). Next up kU at Arrowhead. BIG 12 NORTH CHAMPS!

by nji232 on Nov 16, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

Sammy is playing?

Nice! I hope he goes nuts at the plate in this thing and some team gives him a job for 2009.

by kanderber on Nov 16, 2008 4:27 PM CST up reply actions

At age 40?

Having not played in two years? You’re dreaming.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2008 4:42 PM CST up reply actions

No denying that.

As a big Sammy fan though, it would be cool to see.

by kanderber on Nov 16, 2008 5:50 PM CST up reply actions

I remember reading last year

that Sammy wanted to play.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2008 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

He said that after the WBC he is going to be done

I don’t even know if he will be on the actual team.

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #12 9-2 (5-2). Next up kU at Arrowhead. BIG 12 NORTH CHAMPS!

by nji232 on Nov 16, 2008 4:59 PM CST up reply actions

Are they testing for drugs in the WBC?

If not, maybe he bulked back up over the last year….

by TheHawkRules on Nov 16, 2008 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Yes. They use Olympic drug-tesing rules.

That is why the preliminary rosters are announced so early. (Nov. 30, I think.) They will start testing immediately.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 16, 2008 6:08 PM CST up reply actions

I would guess that DeRo will play this time.

(The Rangers didn’t allow him to play in 2006.)

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 16, 2008 6:08 PM CST reply actions

did he make the final roster cuts for 2006?

I actually don’t recall.

I’m trying to think of the US depth charts right now, although bringing a versatile guy like DeRosa could be a smart move anyways.

by toonsterwu on Nov 16, 2008 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

I think that second base job is Utleys to turn down

But if you mean his versatility is needed, then yeah, and he seems like he’d want to represent the country as well.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Nov 16, 2008 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

Utley is by far the more talented player of the two,

but he lacks the talent of being Italian.

DeRo is the best SS the Italians have and he said in 2006 that he really wanted to play for Italy. He was on Italy’s roster in 2006, but Buck wouldn’t let him play and he had to pull out at the last minute.

DeRo was never considered for the U.S. roster in 2006, and probably won’t be this year because the American team can choose from Utley, Uggla, Kinsler, Roberts, Rollins, Jeter, Drew, etc.

In 2006, the best MIs the Italians had on the roster other than DeRo were Marco Scutaro (who chose to play for Venezuela IIRC) and Frank Menechino. Most of the roster was made up of minor leaguers and Italian League players. Alex Maestri was on the roster. Frank Catalanatto and David Dellucci were the most prominent OFs, and Ron Villone and Mike Piazza were the other big names.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 16, 2008 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

I remember that very well

The same thing happened in Greece during the last Olympics and the Netherlands team at the last WBC was made up of players from Curacao and Aruba, so it should get more representative in the future. Thats why I hope this thing keeps going, b/c its so important for the proliferation of baseball, just look at all the Japanese players that have come over from that 06 team and continue to do so.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Nov 16, 2008 7:59 PM CST up reply actions

Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad idea for Carlos Marmol to participate

I hate this. Absolutely so.

BCB, home of the insidious campaign of the clueless to "Dustyfy" an outstanding manager in Lou Piniella.

by MDBNIU on Nov 16, 2008 8:38 PM CST reply actions

No question.....Hendry and Lou need to get involved here...

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Nov 17, 2008 9:07 AM CST up reply actions