Baseball Casserole

Just when you thought you were done with this fish wrap of a column, and baseball news in general, along comes The World Baseball Classic, probably something fitting in between Olympic baseball and the World Series. Major League Baseball describes the series as: “The World Baseball Classic is an unprecedented baseball event that will feature many of the best players in the world competing for their home countries and territories for the first time ever. This tournament will give fans around the world a chance to see baseball in an exciting and compelling new format.”

This is a pretty cool thing for baseball fans, especially since the venues are fairly accessible to North American fans. US sites include Orlando, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Anaheim, and San Diego.

There are 16 teams that will play in 4 pools that lead to a final series at PETCO Park in San Diego.

Pool A: Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China
Pool B: USA, Canada, Mexico, South Africa
Pool C: Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, Netherlands
Pool D: Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia, Italy

This has potential to be a lot of fun, although mostly for players and ESPN (although no broadcasting contract has been announced). The great thing is that participating players will be subject to Olympic style drug testing. Look for the new trim and fit players to be revealing physiques sans anabolic steroids. A fully 20 lbs. lighter Barry Bonds, who has indicated his interest in playing for USA.

In other baseball news, a report that Hideke Matsui (aka Godzilla) travels with a huge pornography collection. Also, the Yankee management is unhappy about A-Rod keeping company with professional poker players and participating in high stakes games.

Florida Marlins season ticket holders are seeking refunds after management sold off all their marquee players. Boston too is beginning to sell off some high priced high maintenance players. Manny Ramirez is seeking a trade to someplace where he isn’t recognized on the streets. Anaheim seems a likely destination if they can work out his $57 million salary for the next 3 years. Longtime fan favorite Giants first baseman JT Snow was put on waivers, and Sammy Sosa is without a team, being released unconditionally by Baltimore. Rumors are that Miguel Tejada is really disappointed by Orioles poor team performance, and wants out. The Texas Rangers released long-time member of the Off Base Hall of Shame Kenny Rogers and has negotiated a new 2-year deal with Detroit, not Colorado as predicted and hoped for in this space.

The Astros released Roger Clemens from binding arbitration after he was unwilling to decide if he wanted to renew his contract with Houston. He is free to talk with other teams, and has indicated interest in The Baseball Classic.

Too many trades and rumors to talk about right now. Almost every team will have a new look in 2006. It’s good for the salary men, and offers some hope for 2nd tier teams that they may be able to crack .500 next season. It’s confounding for traditionalists though. Every year teams have new looks (talent), not through cultivation necessarily, but through buying power ($$,$$$,$$$). Good teams are now pretty much dependent on their media market share.

Base will not bother you again until March when The World Classic debuts, unless he hears from Fidel Castro at off.base@gmail.com