Edwin Diaz and Future of WBC

@atlnon posted:

Would have thought a thread has been started by now about this situation so I'm going ahead and start this.  I'll start with saying that I love watching WBC, seeing the passion of the players and the fans, and actually seeing Marlins park full.  I think WBC is great for the future of the sports.  Can't help but wonder how many new baseball fans were created in Great Britain thanks to Harry Ford (who my son got to play against 2 years ago when he was still in HS).

On the other hand, I can empathize with the Mets (ownership and fans).  They just invested a lot of money in him a few months ago.  They spent a lot of money to build a team to make a run at the WS.   As a Braves fan, I would like to say lolMets but I can't make myself do so as my heart just breaks for Edwin Diaz (and his brother and teammates).

I hope this doesn't kill WBC as I think it's great for baseball.  At the same time, the realistic side of me is afraid that it will.

But imagine a future where you have thriving leagues in Europe and Latin America, in addition to what's already in Japan and Taiwan.  Maybe we'll even have a true world series championship in the future!

I'm going to keep it simple

Timmy Trumpet just loss some money

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BYSp2pzP0Y

Hey mlb star, you can play but if you get hurt, I'm not paying. Your choice.

IMHO, WBC during the spring when players are suppose to be ramping up for the season making no sense, but given that there is no good time within the mlb season, the only viable solution is to use minor league players.

MLB Team should tell mlb league, there is a share risk, if you want my star to represent, then you will need to share in the risk by setting aside some $$$ just in case my player get hurt.

Would it be better if he injured himself in a spring training game?

The answer is yes, PABASEBALL.  At least you got hurt for me and not with someone else.  It is no different than most HS coaches I know do not allow players to play or practice with any other team during the spring season.  If you are going to get hurt, you will get hurt doing what I pay you to do mentality.  I'm really surprised that college coaches do not restrict what their guys can do.  I don't think either of my sons have been told there are things you cannot do while on scholarship such as: skateboarding, skiing, motorcycles, boxing, and such.  I know there are pros that have these things in their contracts.

I would rather them get injured in a competitive atmosphere where the innings and at bats are more meaningful. Difference of opinions. If I'm a club owner I'm letting my guys play in it, encouraging it.

I understand the you're mine mentality though - just don't agree with it.

This was a freak accident. I don't think it will affect future WBC decisions.

@PABaseball posted:

I would rather them get injured in a competitive atmosphere where the innings and at bats are more meaningful. Difference of opinions. If I'm a club owner I'm letting my guys play in it, encouraging it.

I understand the you're mine mentality though - just don't agree with it.

The problem is you can't have 2 masters, the adrenaline level will be higher for WBC vs spring training.

Also, what is the objective?

As long as MLB is backing the WBC it’s not going anywhere.  

Horrendous, pointless injury, but stuff happens.  The cranky baseball dad in me knew this would happen to somebody someday, though I didn’t imagine it would be one of the best players in the game.  I feel terrible for Diaz, but at least he’s getting paid. I feel worse for the former USC player who tore his ACL at the combine last week.  

@CollegebaseballInsights posted:

Also, what is the objective?

The pride and satisfaction of playing for your country?  The privilege of wearing the red, white and blue?  The opportunity to bring attention to your small country that is often overlooked?

Interesting: the Athletic is reporting that the WBC will pay Diaz’s 2023 salary.

@atlnon posted:

The pride and satisfaction of playing for your country?  The privilege of wearing the red, white and blue?  The opportunity to bring attention to your small country that is often overlooked?

Aren't you are representing your country by playing in the mlb.

Secondly, if you want players at peak form why just use the olympics?

Not representing your country in MLB, it's a business!  

They kicked baseball out of the Olympics years ago, although supposedly they're bringing it back. But the Olympics is usually right in the middle of the MLB season.

I like the WBC timing and format. The risk is real, but he wasn't injured playing, he was injured by the celebration. I assume no-one will do that kind of thing again.

@JCG posted:

Interesting: the Athletic is reporting that the WBC will pay Diaz’s 2023 salary.

The WBC is an international baseball tournament run by the World Baseball Softball Federation in partnership with MLB.

My son played on the inaugural team for Team Israel. Both his paycheck and insurance, expenses, etc, was paid by MLB. These organizations are making millions on the Classic.

The WBC is awesome. It's here to stay.  The injury didn't occur while Diaz was playing.

It's up to every player to weigh the ramifications of being involved. Diaz had a chance to decline.

@anotherparent posted:

Not representing your country in MLB, it's a business!  

They kicked baseball out of the Olympics years ago, although supposedly they're bringing it back. But the Olympics is usually right in the middle of the MLB season.

I like the WBC timing and format. The risk is real, but he wasn't injured playing, he was injured by the celebration. I assume no-one will do that kind of thing again.

The WBC is also a business, just like the IBAF.

And if their Headquarters are in Switzerland, then you should check out the Real Sports episode concerning the money laundering.

Players have the right to play, and as a owner that is paying your salary, I should have the right not to pay for being hurt doing activities that were not for the benefit of my company.

@TPM posted:

The WBC is an international baseball tournament run by the World Baseball Softball Federation in partnership with MLB.

My son played on the inaugural team for Team Israel. Both his paycheck and insurance, expenses, etc, was paid by MLB. These organizations are making millions on the Classic.

The WBC is awesome. It's here to stay.  The injury didn't occur while Diaz was playing.

It's up to every player to weigh the ramifications of being involved. Diaz had a chance to decline.

Just wondering because I’ve seen it a few times.  How did your son play for Israel?   Sons friend played for a country he had no connection to

I am not sure, my son is Jewish. I believe each player from every team has to prove ancestry or some connection. There were a few players on the team whose wives were Jewish. I think each team has their own set of rules under WBC.  The inaugural team was made up of Iraelis who played on Team Israel. The team didn't make it out of the first round out of Jupiter, however it was such an awesome experience. The team 4 years ago was the real deal. They made a movie out of the experience, Heading Home.

Team England is NOT made up of actual English people, for example.  Someone told me they have English parents or something like that

Wait - Centerfielder (lol) Joc Pederson is not Israeli?  

@JCG posted:

Wait - Centerfielder (lol) Joc Pederson is not Israeli?  

Nope.

It is interesting how they do that stuff sometimes.  Son faced Team Canada 18U team and at least 1/3 of them never lived in Canada.