The Spring Training Thread

Adrian, Hanley among seven Dodgers in Classic
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 01/17/2013 4:20 PM ET



LOS ANGELES -- Seven current Dodgers, including All-Stars Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez, were among the players announced Thursday as participants in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Ramirez, the Dodgers' starting shortstop, is listed as a third baseman on the Dominican Republic squad. Gonzalez will be the first baseman for Team Mexico and will be joined by Dodgers third baseman Luis Cruz. Broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela will be a coach for Mexico.

Nick Punto is listed as a utility man on Team Italy, while reliever Ronald Belisario will be in the bullpen of Team Venezuela and Paco Rodriguez in the bullpen for Team Spain. Minor League infielder Felipe Burin will represent Panama. Right-handed reliever Peter Moylan, whose agreement to a Minor League deal with the Dodgers has not yet been confirmed, will pitch for Australia.

The Dodgers will play host to Mexico's squad in an exhibition game on March 6 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ari. No Dodgers will play for Team USA.

Ramirez, acquired last summer from the Marlins, had expressed his desire to play shortstop for his homeland. Listed at shortstop on the Dominican roster are Jose Reyes, Erick Aybar and Miguel Tejada.

Gonzalez, acquired last summer from Boston, will be making his third appearance for Team Mexico, having played in 2006 and 2009.

"I am very excited and happy to participate in the 2013 World Baseball Classic," Gonzalez said when he committed to playing last month. "We are all preparing to represent Mexico as best we can. We're going all in and with everything we've got so our country can be proud of the talent that's in Mexican baseball. '¡Si se puede!'"

Valenzuela also coached for Team Mexico in 2006 and 2009. Mexico reached the second round of the tournament in San Diego in 2009.

"It makes me very proud that the Dodgers will represent Mexico," said Valenzuela. "I think it's special for our fans, because many are from Mexico, have family there or are of Mexican descent. It's important for me to be a part of this, and I'm excited to coach and to support our guys who will be playing on the team."

Cruz will be making his second appearance for Team Mexico, having participated in 2006. Although he played third base for the Dodgers, he is listed as a shortstop for Team Mexico.

"It means a lot to me to play for Mexico in the WBC," Cruz said. "For me, it's a big honor to be a Dodger, and now, to be able to play for my country as a Dodger is just a dream. I'm just very happy and thankful."

Punto was acquired from Boston in the Gonzalez blockbuster trade. He played all four infield positions last year. Belisario posted a trouble-free comeback season in 2012 after missing the 2011 season because of a failed drug test. Rodriguez, the first player from last year's Draft to reach the Major Leagues, will compete for a Major League job this Spring.

The sidearming Moylan has been battling injuries and was non-tendered by Atlanta. Burin was signed after spending four seasons in the Seattle Mariners organization.


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totally agree
i don't want any of my players risking injury (and/or not being ready for the mlb season) playing elsewhere
patriotism is great
but if i'm paying a guy millions
i expect him to be committed 100% to me
otherwise i'm putting a clause in their contracts

 

that would be nice
although getting to know their mlb teammates would be nice too

 

again, the idiot should be focusing on the team paying him...

Hanley Ramirez playing in WBC is nothing but bad news for Dodgers
by Steve Dilbeck | Los Angeles Times
January 17, 2013, 2:39 pm


Hanley Ramirez is unlikely to play shortstop -- or anywhere in the field -- at the World Baseball Classic. (Getty)

Dodgers infielder Hanley Ramirez made the Dominican Republic national team for the World Baseball Classic on Thursday, and that’s bad news. That’s unnecessary trouble.

Understand, the Dodgers insist that they are going into spring training with Ramirez as their starting shortstop. Anyone who watched him struggle defensively in his return to short with the Dodgers has to be justifiably concerned. Or plain frightened.

The Dodgers know Ramirez at short isn’t the perfect scenario, but with Dee Gordon struggling, figure it as their best, first option. To help him better reacquaint himself at short -- the Miami Marlins had moved him to third last season after they acquired Jose Reyes -- the Dodgers wanted him to play short during winter ball.

But Ramirez suffered an early minor shoulder injury playing in the Dominican and ended up a designated hitter, not playing short or anywhere in the field.

And now he’ll potentially miss most of spring training – and he's unlikely to play any shortstop for the Dominicans.

Reyes figures to be their starting shortstop. And with Adrian Beltre at third and Robinson Cano at second, Ramirez is likely looking at DHing yet again. Plus, the Dominicans have strong-fielding Erik Aybar as the backup at short. The Dominicans list Ramirez as a third baseman.

If the Dominicans play through the first round, Ramirez is looking at not joining the Dodgers until a couple of days after March 10. If they advance to the second round, he wouldn't be back until after March 16, and if the Dominicans advance to the finals –- a real possibility, they’re the early favorite –- it wouldn't be until after the championship game March 19.

The finals are in San Francisco.

That means he’d barely be able to practice a week with the Dodgers before their season opener April 1.

Exactly when was he going to master shortstop and ease team concerns? It’s not going to happen.

The Dodgers really need to shelve the idea of Ramirez at shortstop. Maybe this is the excuse they need. They could put Luis Cruz at short, and although he’s no gold glove there, he still seems a better overall option than Ramirez.

Then they can put Ramirez at third when he finally returns.​

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