With time, MLB teams have realized that they can’t forbid their players to represent their countries in the World Baseball Classic.
They still don’t like their stars going to the tournament, and there are many absences this year stemming from MLB squads not granting permission or openly opposing.
However, the feeling is that the 2023 edition of the Classic will have more high-profile big leaguers than ever before.
The New York Mets are allowing their star closer Edwin Diaz to participate with Puerto Rico.
They do have some worries and concerns, though.
“There is concern within the Mets’ organization that Edwin Diaz will be asked to pitch on back-to-back days in the WBC — something the Mets do not want, as they ramp up for the 2023 season,” MLB insider Buster Olney tweeted.
There is concern within the Mets’ organization that Edwin Diaz will be asked to pitch on back-to-back days in the WBC — something the Mets do not want, as they ramp up for the 2023 season.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 2, 2023
Diaz is MLB’s most dominant reliever.
Puerto Rico does have some other great relievers like Jorge Lopez, Emilio Pagan, and Edwin’s brother Alexis.
Not one of them can measure up with Diaz, and that’s a hard reality for Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina.
One would imagine that Diaz will be sparingly used in the group stage except for a key appearance or two.
If PR wants to reach the final rounds, however, they absolutely need every inning they can get from the star right-hander.
Diaz finished the 2022 season with 32 saves, a 1.31 ERA, and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings.
That’s flat-out dominance right there.
To beat the Dominican Republic, United States, Japan, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, or Korea, the Puerto Ricans will likely require Diaz to pitch in consecutive appearances and probably multiple innings, too.
The Mets have reasons to be concerned because losing Diaz to injury would be a severe blow to their 2023 chances.
Let’s see how everything pans out.
