Baseball Canada will announce the 23 players on its provisional roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic this afternoon at Rogers Centre.
And as was the case four years ago in the buildup to the 2009 WBC, much of the focus will be on whether the name of Ryan Dempster is included on that list.
The 35-year-old, Gibsons, BC native recently signed a two-year, $26.5 million free agent contract with the Boston Red Sox but to date, neither the team nor Dempster have indicated whether he plans on participating in the WBC.
On Friday, Boston Globe Red Sox reporter Pete Abraham tweeted the following regarding players the Red Sox expect to lose to the WBC when the tournament begins in March.
Nothing official. But the only MLB players the #RedSox could lose to the WBC are Victorino (USA) and Aceves (Mexico) — Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) January 11, 2013
Nothing official. But the only MLB players the #RedSox could lose to the WBC are Victorino (USA) and Aceves (Mexico)
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) January 11, 2013
Dempster did not participate in the 2009 WBC after signing a four-year, $52 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.
Interestingly, several prominent Canadian baseball players — including Dempster — will be in Toronto for Saturday’s announcement as it coincides with Baseball Canada’s annual national teams awards banquet and fundraiser.
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).
Morneau and Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie were named to the provisional roster last month, while Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has publicly expressed a desire to play in the WBC, providing his surgically repaired knee is up to it.
Dempster would be a much-needed addition to Team Canada’s pitching staff after Minnesota Twins left-hander Scott Diamond was ruled out for the WBC after undergoing surgery last month to remove a bone chip from his elbow.
Canada’s first game in the 2013 tournament will be March 8 against Team Italy in Scottsdale, Ariz. They will play out of Pool D with the United States, Mexico and Italy.
Canada has failed to advance out of the first round in the first two tournaments, in 2006 and 2009.
Below: Keep it here this afternoon for live coverage of the announcement from Rogers Centre.
