Wetherholt may play for Team Korea in WBC

[ramfandan]

Possibility that JJ could be on their team. His grandmother is from South Korea and according to rules that may qualify him .
JJ had expressed a desire to play in the 2026 WBC.

His grandfather served in U.S. Forces Korea .

[RunSup]

Possibility that JJ could be on their team. His grandmother is from South Korea and according to rules that may qualify him .
JJ had expressed a desire to play in the 2026 WBC.

His grandfather served in U.S. Forces Korea .

Cool. Good for JJ, though I'd rather see him in spring training.

He could join Tommy Edman on team South Korea, if Edman choose to play in the WBC.

[rockondlouie]

Good

I like the idea of him getting that kind of exposure to high level talent.

[Strummer Jones]

I know I'm about to get flamed for this, but I...

1.) Don't care about the WBC. I'd have felt nothing if Americans won it, and I felt nothing when they lost it.
2.) I don't like the looks of this. I hated it two years ago when half the team left in the middle of spring to play in it, especially the vets. And I don't like someone who's very likely going to shove for a spot on this roster as an important rookie both this season and for the next several seasons.

Maybe I'd feel different if this team was already established, had some success, and a clear identity. But that wasn't the case before '23. Both Pujols and Molina passed the baton to Goldy/Nado who left to go play, and Wainwright and Mikolas left for the WBC. Again, I don't give a single rip about a tournament in the middle of spring training. Is there a banner or pennant in Busch Stadium--or any stadium--about making it to the WBC finals in '23? Or a trophy?

I'd feel different if this was happening now, or November, or January. I still wouldn't care about the outcome, but at least it wouldn't take from spring training or mandatory team work-outs.

I don't expect a lot to agree with me, but I'm sticking to it.

[Ozziesfan41]

Possibility that JJ could be on their team. His grandmother is from South Korea and according to rules that may qualify him .
JJ had expressed a desire to play in the 2026 WBC.

His grandfather served in U.S. Forces Korea .

He could but I would put it at about less than 1% chance he wants to make the opening day roster so the Cardinals will want to see him in spring training. In the future he may but I would be absolutely shocked if he did it this season

[sp25]

I know I'm about to get flamed for this, but I...

1.) Don't care about the WBC. I'd have felt nothing if Americans won it, and I felt nothing when they lost it.
2.) I don't like the looks of this. I hated it two years ago when half the team left in the middle of spring to play in it, especially the vets. And I don't like someone who's very likely going to shove for a spot on this roster as an important rookie both this season and for the next several seasons.

Maybe I'd feel different if this team was already established, had some success, and a clear identity. But that wasn't the case before '23. Both Pujols and Molina passed the baton to Goldy/Nado who left to go play, and Wainwright and Mikolas left for the WBC. Again, I don't give a single rip about a tournament in the middle of spring training. Is there a banner or pennant in Busch Stadium--or any stadium--about making it to the WBC finals in '23? Or a trophy?

I'd feel different if this was happening now, or November, or January. I still wouldn't care about the outcome, but at least it wouldn't take from spring training or mandatory team work-outs.

I don't expect a lot to agree with me, but I'm sticking to it.

I'm in full agreement. The Cardinals need to find out who they are and who they have. Let the Dodgers send their players.

[scoutyjones2]

Possibility that JJ could be on their team. His grandmother is from South Korea and according to rules that may qualify him .
JJ had expressed a desire to play in the 2026 WBC.

His grandfather served in U.S. Forces Korea .

WBC is garbage

[82birds]

I know I'm about to get flamed for this, but I...

1.) Don't care about the WBC. I'd have felt nothing if Americans won it, and I felt nothing when they lost it.
2.) I don't like the looks of this. I hated it two years ago when half the team left in the middle of spring to play in it, especially the vets. And I don't like someone who's very likely going to shove for a spot on this roster as an important rookie both this season and for the next several seasons.

Maybe I'd feel different if this team was already established, had some success, and a clear identity. But that wasn't the case before '23. Both Pujols and Molina passed the baton to Goldy/Nado who left to go play, and Wainwright and Mikolas left for the WBC. Again, I don't give a single rip about a tournament in the middle of spring training. Is there a banner or pennant in Busch Stadium--or any stadium--about making it to the WBC finals in '23? Or a trophy?

I'd feel different if this was happening now, or November, or January. I still wouldn't care about the outcome, but at least it wouldn't take from spring training or mandatory team work-outs.

I don't expect a lot to agree with me, but I'm sticking to it.

no flaming from me.
some good points.

[rockondlouie]

I know I'm about to get flamed for this, but I...

1.) Don't care about the WBC. I'd have felt nothing if Americans won it, and I felt nothing when they lost it.
2.) I don't like the looks of this. I hated it two years ago when half the team left in the middle of spring to play in it, especially the vets. And I don't like someone who's very likely going to shove for a spot on this roster as an important rookie both this season and for the next several seasons.

Maybe I'd feel different if this team was already established, had some success, and a clear identity. But that wasn't the case before '23. Both Pujols and Molina passed the baton to Goldy/Nado who left to go play, and Wainwright and Mikolas left for the WBC. Again, I don't give a single rip about a tournament in the middle of spring training. Is there a banner or pennant in Busch Stadium--or any stadium--about making it to the WBC finals in '23? Or a trophy?

I'd feel different if this was happening now, or November, or January. I still wouldn't care about the outcome, but at least it wouldn't take from spring training or mandatory team work-outs.

I don't expect a lot to agree with me, but I'm sticking to it.

No flame from me strummer. 100% agree and have since it's inception.

I hate it being played right in the middle of MLB spring training...............hate that it gives the Asian teams a huge advantage as they're already into their season and in "game shape" while major leaguers are still trying to knock off the winter rust.......couldn't stand it when the Cardinals had good teams and they had so many players gone from STing.

Like you, I've always said they need to have it two weeks after the W.S. is completed.........still wouldn't care about the outcome either but would definitely enjoy more baseball before winter sets in.

[ramfandan]

I think spring training is overhyped too. Players take October off,unwind, but do little baseball stuff maybe some running etc. to stay in shape.
Then November they ramp up doing baseball specific things as pitchers of position players hittin etc.
They do that for 3 months. By the time Feb. Ones they are in top top shape and ready to go.
Usually there are only 2 or 3 spots tops to make the final roster that wasn’t planned.
Very few surprises. Bloom/Oli have already decided on JJ .
His batting average this spring has no bearing on making the team or being sent to Memphis. They just won’t say publicly he is on the squad for they play the ‘he has to earn it’ deal.

[LCA1951]

JJW is not one to be concerned with. It is Others who have things to prove that would a concern. Would be good to see him on the world stage with its atmosphere to win it all which teams will try maintaining to the end. Whoever is playing the position in his absence is only a relief guy or who is trying to make the team period. JJW will be starting on opening day.

[ScotchMIrish]

Mets lost their closer for the season at the WBC.

[woofy25]

JJ should be advised to wait on the WBC and focus on making the big league roster.

[Strummer Jones]

I know I'm about to get flamed for this, but I...

1.) Don't care about the WBC. I'd have felt nothing if Americans won it, and I felt nothing when they lost it.
2.) I don't like the looks of this. I hated it two years ago when half the team left in the middle of spring to play in it, especially the vets. And I don't like someone who's very likely going to shove for a spot on this roster as an important rookie both this season and for the next several seasons.

Maybe I'd feel different if this team was already established, had some success, and a clear identity. But that wasn't the case before '23. Both Pujols and Molina passed the baton to Goldy/Nado who left to go play, and Wainwright and Mikolas left for the WBC. Again, I don't give a single rip about a tournament in the middle of spring training. Is there a banner or pennant in Busch Stadium--or any stadium--about making it to the WBC finals in '23? Or a trophy?

I'd feel different if this was happening now, or November, or January. I still wouldn't care about the outcome, but at least it wouldn't take from spring training or mandatory team work-outs.

I don't expect a lot to agree with me, but I'm sticking to it.

No flame from me strummer. 100% agree and have since it's inception.

I hate it being played right in the middle of MLB spring training...............hate that it gives the Asian teams a huge advantage as they're already into their season and in "game shape" while major leaguers are still trying to knock off the winter rust.......couldn't stand it when the Cardinals had good teams and they had so many players gone from STing.

Like you, I've always said they need to have it two weeks after the W.S. is completed.........still wouldn't care about the outcome either but would definitely enjoy more baseball before winter sets in.

I think additionally...would they WANT to have the WBC in November or December? There's not a whole lot that happens then. A lot of times even the biggest free agents aren't signing during that time anyway. What better way to keep the attention on baseball? I would also think that if an injury happens during that time, there's still time to recover before MLB starts back up again, unless some guy tears an ACL or blows an elbow out.

You'd think MLB would have thought this out better. Because let's face it, most of the talent for these comes from Major League Baseball. Even the Korean and Japanese teams have a large share of MLB talent.

[rockondlouie]

I know I'm about to get flamed for this, but I...

1.) Don't care about the WBC. I'd have felt nothing if Americans won it, and I felt nothing when they lost it.
2.) I don't like the looks of this. I hated it two years ago when half the team left in the middle of spring to play in it, especially the vets. And I don't like someone who's very likely going to shove for a spot on this roster as an important rookie both this season and for the next several seasons.

Maybe I'd feel different if this team was already established, had some success, and a clear identity. But that wasn't the case before '23. Both Pujols and Molina passed the baton to Goldy/Nado who left to go play, and Wainwright and Mikolas left for the WBC. Again, I don't give a single rip about a tournament in the middle of spring training. Is there a banner or pennant in Busch Stadium--or any stadium--about making it to the WBC finals in '23? Or a trophy?

I'd feel different if this was happening now, or November, or January. I still wouldn't care about the outcome, but at least it wouldn't take from spring training or mandatory team work-outs.

I don't expect a lot to agree with me, but I'm sticking to it.

No flame from me strummer. 100% agree and have since it's inception.

I hate it being played right in the middle of MLB spring training...............hate that it gives the Asian teams a huge advantage as they're already into their season and in "game shape" while major leaguers are still trying to knock off the winter rust.......couldn't stand it when the Cardinals had good teams and they had so many players gone from STing.

Like you, I've always said they need to have it two weeks after the W.S. is completed.........still wouldn't care about the outcome either but would definitely enjoy more baseball before winter sets in.

I think additionally...would they WANT to have the WBC in November or December? There's not a whole lot that happens then. A lot of times even the biggest free agents aren't signing during that time anyway. What better way to keep the attention on baseball? I would also think that if an injury happens during that time, there's still time to recover before MLB starts back up again, unless some guy tears an ACL or blows an elbow out.

You'd think MLB would have thought this out better. Because let's face it, most of the talent for these comes from Major League Baseball. Even the Korean and Japanese teams have a large share of MLB talent.

Two weeks after the W.S. series is completed allows players (not in the W.S.) to stay sharp and in game shape, December is too late.

[Strummer Jones]

I know I'm about to get flamed for this, but I...

1.) Don't care about the WBC. I'd have felt nothing if Americans won it, and I felt nothing when they lost it.
2.) I don't like the looks of this. I hated it two years ago when half the team left in the middle of spring to play in it, especially the vets. And I don't like someone who's very likely going to shove for a spot on this roster as an important rookie both this season and for the next several seasons.

Maybe I'd feel different if this team was already established, had some success, and a clear identity. But that wasn't the case before '23. Both Pujols and Molina passed the baton to Goldy/Nado who left to go play, and Wainwright and Mikolas left for the WBC. Again, I don't give a single rip about a tournament in the middle of spring training. Is there a banner or pennant in Busch Stadium--or any stadium--about making it to the WBC finals in '23? Or a trophy?

I'd feel different if this was happening now, or November, or January. I still wouldn't care about the outcome, but at least it wouldn't take from spring training or mandatory team work-outs.

I don't expect a lot to agree with me, but I'm sticking to it.

No flame from me strummer. 100% agree and have since it's inception.

I hate it being played right in the middle of MLB spring training...............hate that it gives the Asian teams a huge advantage as they're already into their season and in "game shape" while major leaguers are still trying to knock off the winter rust.......couldn't stand it when the Cardinals had good teams and they had so many players gone from STing.

Like you, I've always said they need to have it two weeks after the W.S. is completed.........still wouldn't care about the outcome either but would definitely enjoy more baseball before winter sets in.

I think additionally...would they WANT to have the WBC in November or December? There's not a whole lot that happens then. A lot of times even the biggest free agents aren't signing during that time anyway. What better way to keep the attention on baseball? I would also think that if an injury happens during that time, there's still time to recover before MLB starts back up again, unless some guy tears an ACL or blows an elbow out.

You'd think MLB would have thought this out better. Because let's face it, most of the talent for these comes from Major League Baseball. Even the Korean and Japanese teams have a large share of MLB talent.

Two weeks after the W.S. series is completed allows players (not in the W.S.) to stay sharp and in game shape, December is too late.

I'd be fine with it.

I still just don't care about the WBC from an outcome standpoint, but it's a way to keep tangible baseball in the news cycle a little longer.