Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was among the 30 MLB players recently confirmed to play in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. As he did this spring during WBC qualifiers, Gonzalez will be on the Team Mexico roster.
Gonzalez has played for Mexico in every WBC thus far (2006, 2009 and 2013). In October, Yasiel Puig expressed an interest to play for Mexico in the upcoming WBC, but he did not submit the necessary paperwork in time.
After defecting from Cuba, Puig established residency in Mexico so that he could be cleared by MLB to sign as an international free agent. Julio Urias may join Gonzalez in representing his native country.
However, whether the Dodgers would permit their young left-hander to participate is unknown. Elsewhere, Kenley Jansen verbally committed to playing for the Netherlands.
Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager are a possibility to join Team USA at some point during the tournament, but neither has committed to doing so. Kenta Maeda may play for Japan, which the Dodgers would support.
“Whatever he decides, we’re going to support,” manager Dave Roberts said from the Winter Meetings. “So whether he decides to play or declines, we’re going to support it.”
The 2017 WBC begins March 17, with the semifinals and final taking place at Dodger Stadium March 20-22, 2017. Japan won the WBC in 2006 and 2009, and the Dominican Republic won most recently in 2013. The United States has yet to top their fourth-place finish from 2009.
