Team USA Has Added 2 Elite MLB Relievers
The United States are putting together quite a team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
They won the 2017 edition for the first time and seem determined to tie Japan with the most wins ever, with two, next year.
When it comes to position players, the Americans are sending the best of the best in MLB: J.T. Realmuto, Will Smith, Paul Goldschmidt, Tim Anderson, Trevor Story, Trea Turner, Nolan Arenado, Bobby Witt Jr., Mike Trout, Kyle Schwarber, Cedric Mullins, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker, and other stars.
The pitching staff is not as impressive as the lineup, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
That’s far from the case.
So far, Nestor Cortes Jr., Merrill Kelly, Adam Wainwright, Kyle Freeland, Brady Singer, and Logan Webb are the rotation options.
The relief corps had David Bednar, Devin Williams, and Dillon Tate before Wednesday.
Today, a couple of bullpen arms announced they are joining the squad.
A couple more relief arms are #ALLIN for the World Baseball Classic. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/alxE5dZpww
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) December 13, 2022
Two Excellent Additions
Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies and Nick Martinez of the San Diego Padres are the newest members of Team USA with the WBC in mind.
The range of outcomes with Bard is actually very broad: his ERA finishes in the last three seasons are 3.65, 5.21, and 1.79 (in 2022).
He posted that 1.79 ERA in 60.1 innings while striking out 69 hitters and inducing grounders in 51.7 percent of his batted balls.
He was thoroughly dominant this past season and represents a nice addition for Team USA’s bullpen.
Martinez was part of an impressive playoffs run with the Padres.
He posted a 3.47 ERA in 106.1 frames, filling several roles on the staff.
The bullpen is now starting to take shape, and it’s looking like a strength.
USA seems determined to go for that title.