Is It Worth The Price to Have the Best MLB Players in WBC?

Following a slue of injuries in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, it begs the question: is it even worth it?

Not to beat a dead horse any further, but this year's World Baseball Classic was more than just an entertaining competition amongst peers.

It turned out to an injury-plagued battle of wits from pool play through the final pitch in Tuesday night's 3-2 Team Japan win over Team USA.

The biggest question we all keep asking: is it even worth having a team's best ball players on countries squads in the WBC?

For Mets fans, the anger kicked in during the a WBC celebration that took out closer Edwin Diaz for the entire season.

For Houston Astros fans, a similar angst kicked off in Team USA's win over Team Venezuela in the quarterfinals.

Why in the world Colorado Rockies pitcher Daniel Bard remained on the mound for Team USA in that forever-replayed moment for Astros fans is beyond any understanding.

Bard was beyond erratic and couldn't find the strike zone well before Jose Altuve even stepped to the plate.

But Team USA manager Mark DeRosa was insistent on keeping the guy in the game.

Anger doesn't even come close to describing the feelings felt the moment that ball nailed Altuve in the hand.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to see Altuve's thumb was shattered as he walked into the dugout and into the locker room.

Yes, a lot of fans are angry at Bard, and rightly so.

But the real blames lies with DeRosa -- who stupidly and stubbornly kept Bard on the mound.

Regardless of who's to blame, the reality is the Astros will be without Altuve for at least two months.

Another blow to the Astros came when it was announced that outfielder Kyle Tucker will undergo further evaluation on a foul ball he took off his ankle in the Americans victory over Venezuela.

Will Houston be down another star on Opening Day?

That has yet to be seen, but the frustrations stemming from the WBC remain tried and true.

Is it worth having MLB's best on team squads in the WBC?

For Mets and Astros fans, I can assure you that answer is an astounding no.

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