Just found this article by Tom Verducci about the WBC. He interviews Davey Johnson and there are a number of interesting tidbits. Let me highlight a few and give some opinions. I have to say I kind of like what I’m reading here.

The new attitude begins with the right man to manage the team, former major league and Olympic team manager Davey Johnson. Think Johnson, for instance, is broken up about Alex Rodriguez switching teams to play for the Dominican Republic? Think again.
“I want a guy who wants to play for us,” Johnson said at this week’s winter meetings. “If someone is even hinting that they want to go to another team, he’s not on my list.”

I kind of wish he’d just come out and talk about what an abysmal disgrace the 2006 team was, but I know people like Johnson can’t just pop off and say things like that. But I like the attitude about Rodriguez here. Don’t want to play? Next. 

Johnson, who managed four teams during a 14-year career in the majors and who led Team USA to a bronze medal at the Beijing Games this summer, didn’t waste any time replacing Rodriguez. He has already called Mets third baseman David Wright. Because Johnson intends to win the gold medal, and not just run players in and out of games as in an exhibition, he asked Wright, “Are you ready to play nine innings?” Replied Wright, “I’ll be ready to go 18 if you want.”

Good. I can certainly deal with Wright as the thirdbaseman, and if Johnson is looking for someone to play a full game every game, my choice of Chipper Jones might not be feasible. The most interesting development in the article is that Johnson intends to carry a roster under than the allotted 28 because he doesn’t want because he doesn’t want any superstar major leaguers taking up unneeded space.

The more players he carries, for instance, the more he would feel obligated to get them into games to make sure they get their reps to prepare for the regular season, and the more he forces players into games for those reasons, the less it becomes about winning.

I like it. This is what the manager is supposed to do. Johnson also says he wants to have the team picked before Christmas so the players can get in shape mentally and physically, as opposed to wondering in March if they’re going to be playing WBC games or not…like last time. 

The article also says Johnson intends to carry two catchers, three or four corner infielders, three middle infielders, four outfielders and 13 pitchers.

Verducci then lists a “probable roster,” which he put together with the help of team officials. Sounds like this is pretty close to what the roster will look like.

Catchers

Joe Mauer and Brian McCann. They would seem to be fairly obvious, and an upgrade on the WBC I catching trio of Jason Varitek, Michael Barrett and Brian Schneider. Johnson will alternate the use of his catchers; one game on, one game off.

Not bad. I’ve made my case on this topic but it’s hard to whine too much about McCann being on the team. Although that said…Asian teams will be able to run on him. 

Corner infielders

Wright, Evan Longoria, Chipper Jones and Lance Berkman. Jones is expected to be the primary DH. Longoria, who played for Johnson in the baseball World Cup, gets an edge over Ryan Zimmerman. Derek Lee, Mark Teixeira and Ryan Howard could be in contention for a spot, but Howard is not the kind of hitter that fits the USA’s desire to win a March tournament. With his long swing, Howard is seen as a risky pick to be on top of his game that early in the year. In fact, he’s a notorious slow starter who is a career .230 hitter in April.

Yes, yes and yes. This is exactly what I wanted to read, and, in fact, is exactly what I would do. I’d advocated a Teixeira/Berkman platoon, but if I had to pick one of the two I’d probably take Berkman. Howard does not belong on this team and I’m happy to see Verducci and whoever he was talking to (Johnson) picking up on that.

Middle infielders

Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia and Michael Young. Jeter (introduced on Wednesday as the team’s first player) and Pedroia are locks. Johnson wants his third middle infielder to be able to play both positions. Young, who played in WBC I, fits the bill.

Don’t like it. I have little doubt Jimmy Rollins can play both positions better than Young can. Rollins is very deserving of this honor. One legend who isn’t necessarily there based on talent is enough. Please reconsider this Mr. Johnson.

Outfielders

Curtis Granderson, B.J. Upton, Grady Sizemore, Josh Hamilton. Those four are at the top of the most wanted list, with Hamilton a possible cleanup hitter. Other possibilities if one of those players is unavailable include Matt Holliday (though having been traded from Colorado to Oakland, he may need the spring training time with his new team) and Ryan Braun.

Pretty much what I’d say. I’d probably rather have Holliday or Braun over Upton, but it’s nothing to lose sleep over. Upton was certainly great enough in the post season to warrant a look.

At least Sizemore, who I could see being the captain of the 2013 team, is in there.

Pitchers

Pitchers

Brandon Webb, Cliff Lee, Brad Lidge, Jonathan Papelbon and Joe Nathan appear to be the safe picks. Putting together a pitching staff is far more problematic than gathering position players. For instance, both Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay have indicated they prefer not to pitch in the WBC, though Johnson wants both of them and will continue to have dialogue with them. CC Sabathia backed out of WBC I, and he has no shot this time after the Yankees just invested $161 million in his left arm that was heavily taxed last year. Likewise, the Phillies may not want Cole Hamels to crank himself up to game speed in March after throwing a seven-month season last year that took him far beyond his career-high in innings. Jake Peavy is not expected to return after hurting his arm in WBC I, the result of overthrowing so early in the spring.

It would sure be a coup of Johnson could get Lincecum to play. If not Sabathia then Cliff Lee is the pick. The point about Hamels is well-taken, and actually, my other pick of Ben Sheets seems awfully unlikely given his injury history and free agency status. I’m fine not having Peavy on this team (or on another team come to think of it).

Johnson wants a heavily left-handed pitching staff, in part because Canada and Japan are loaded with lefty hitting.

Yeah, but Canada is Game 1 and Japan wouldn’t be until the championship round. No need to overdo it. Lee or Sabathia will be fine as far as starters.

That could mean roster spots for pitchers such as Brian Fuentes, Jon Lester, John Danks and B.J. Ryan. The USA took only three lefties in the first WBC: Fuentes, Al Leiter and Dontrelle Willis. Johnson is leaning toward carrying only four or five starting pitchers.

If Lester and Danks are willing to throw out of the bullpen I think they’d be fine additions — more Lester than Danks. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of bringing B.J. Ryan.

The players won’t have to wait until they get to Clearwater to understand Johnson’s mission. He is telling them now to prepare to play winning baseball, not just to put on a show. That means being in shape to play nine innings at high intensity by the first week of March.
“I’m not messing around with agents or other people,” Johnson said. “I’m going right to the players. It will not be run like an All-Star Game where you try to get everybody in the game. I’m not comfortable running it like the All-Star Game. The biggest problem will be making sure I get everyone enough playing time.”

I’m glad to hear this. Not an All-Star team. In that case, leave Michael Young at home Davey. I know he’s well-liked by players. Get him a room in Toronto and let him hang out. I just don’t want to see Jeter and Young waving at balls dribbling up through the middle.