http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2013/01/12/team_canada_wbc_roster_announced/

Oscar Taveras is available, source said he'll not be on the DR roster (Bautista, Cruz, Boni, Gomes, Marte, Melky)

C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
OF
OF
DH

SP
RP

We've had a predictions thread before, don't feel like going through it again lol.

From the article:

"Other players expected to be in attendance Saturday include Phillippe Aumont (Philadelphia Phillies), Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins), Russell Martin (Pittsburgh Pirates), Jeff Francis (Colorado Rockies), John Axford (Milwaukee Brewers), Scott Diamond (Minnesota Twins) and Chris Leroux (Pittsburgh Pirates)."

3B: Brett Lawrie
1B: Joey Votto
C: Russell Martin

what about Taveras?

Just wanted to list a few.

I hope Ryan Dempster plays, we really need him to anchor our staff. Him as the ace with two of (Bedard, Diamond, Francis) following, puts us in really good shape.

We could also have a nice group of power arms in relief with Axford, Henderson, and Aumont to go with Jesse Crain.

Paxton?

C Martin
1B Votto
2B Clapp
3B Lawrie
SS who knows
OF Bay
OF Taveres
OF who knows
DH Morneua

SP Diamond
RP Crain/Axford

Pitching will certainly be the key, we've never gotten any quality MLB starters to show up.

Jameson Taillon could also be an option, both his parents are Canadian.

DH: Freeman

Pete Orr and Taylor Green would be the 2B options. SS will probably be one of the random guys who were at qualifying.

From the Toronto Sun:

POTENTIAL TEAM CANADA WBC ROSTER

(Statistics through Sunday)

STARTING PITCHERS

Ryan Dempster, Gibsons, B.C. Rangers/Cubs (12-7, 3.07 ERA)
Scott Diamond, Guelph, Twins (12-8, 3.64)
Erik Bedard, Navan, Ont., Pirates (7-14, 5.01)
Jeff Francis, North Delta, B.C., Rockies (5-6, 5.54)

RELIEF PITCHERS

John Axford, Port Dover, Brewers (5-7, 4.66, 33 saves)
James Henderson, Calgary, Brewers (0-2, 3.24, 3 saves)
Jesse Crain, Toronto, White Sox (2-3, 2.70)
Phillippe Aumont, Gatineau, Que., Phillies (0-1, 4.35, 1 save)
Chris Leroux, Mississauga, Pirates (0-0, 7.00)
Scott Mathieson, Aldergrove B.C. Yomiuri Giants (2-0, 1.80, 10 saves)
Dustin Molleken, Regina, Hokkaido-Nippon Ham Fighters (1-1, 3.38)
James Paxton, Ladner, B.C. Mariners-AA (9-4, 3.05)
Kyle Lotzkar, Tsawwassen, B.C. Reds-AA (4-6, 5.21)
Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, Tex. Pirates-AA (3-0, 1.59)
Trystan Magunson Vancouver, Jays-AA (0-1, 1.95, 5 saves)

STARTING LINEUP

1. 3B Brett Lawrie, Langley, Jays (.274, 9, 44)
2. C Russell Martin, Montreal, Yankees (.205, 18, 48)
3. 1B Joey Votto, Etobicoke, Reds (.338, 14, 43)
4. DH Justin Morneau, New Westminster, B.C., Twins (.276, 19, 77)
5. LF Jason Bay, Trail, B.C., Mets (.155, 8, 20).
6. RF Michael Saunders, Victoria, Mariners (.251, 17, 51)
7. 2B Taylor Green, Comox, B.C. Brewers (.193, 3, 14)
8. SS Peter Orr, Newmarket, Phillies (.306, 0, 6)
9. CF Tyson Gillies, Langley, Phillies-AA (.304. 4, 24)

BENCH PLAYERS

C George Kottaras, Markham, A’s/Brewers (.213, 8, 30)
INF Jonathan Malo, Laval, Que., IND-Quebec (.288, 12, 63)
1B Jim Van Ostrand, Richmond, B.C. Nationals-AA (.310, 10, 30).
INF Mark Teahen, St. Marys, Ont., Nationals-AAA (.260, 3, 63).
OF Rene Tosoni, Coquitlam, B.C. Twins-AAA-AA (.224, 4, 23)
OF Adam Loewen, Surrey, B.C., Mets-AAA (.227, 8, 26)

Scott Richmond

That would be a pretty good team. Anything can happen in those short tournaments.

And... here's the 23-man provisional roster:

https://twitter.com/baseballcanada/status/290199915546701824/photo/1

As usual, not much pitching.

No Diamond, no Votto, no chance.

No pitching at all. Would have liked to seen Dempster, Bedard or Diamond. They won't have a chance. Italy will beat them again!

We'll see what happens--there's a reasonable chance Votto, Dempster could be added before March. Remember, some teams WILL NOT release their players for the WBC because of concerns about injury. Even the US may have issues..they haven't even won a WBC--losing to Japan both times.

<Wow, we're fucked without Votto.

What a disappointment.