Is the World Baseball Classic, Good or Bad for Baseball?

Whenever the USA gets a chance to show the world they're the best at something, we usually are all for it. But, is the World Baseball Classic the exception? Sending some of our best MLB baseball players off to face other countries even before the MLB season starts, just doesn't seem like a good idea. Sure, the players are all for it, but their teams, not so much.

With USA playing their first game on March 8th, that puts players leaving in the middle of spring training to go play Mexico. The game is in Phoenix, so they don't have to travel oversees, but the extra wear and tear on the players has been evident. Playing an extra 10 or so games, added on to the 162 they already play in the regular season, puts players in a strenuous position. Especially for pitchers more than hitters, during this time in spring training, pitchers are usually throwing three innings and just starting to throw off speed pitches. These games are intense, playoff like games happening in March. Luis Ayala had to have tommy john surgery after the first World Baseball Classic, and players like Daisuke Matsuzaka, performed poorly and had a tired arm mid-season after participating.

This year we have a all-star lineup yet again, including Ryan Braun, David Wright, Joe Mauer, Adam Jones and R.A. Dickey. Not to mention all of the MLB players playing for different countries. All of these players are the stars of their teams, and if one of them gets hurt, their teams season could go down the drain fast. So, if I was a team owner or general manager, there is no way I am letting my players go and play. There's to much risk and not enough reward for me as an owner, as I am paying them millions to go win me a Championship. 

The classic needs to happen at a different time, or needs to be discontinued. Its tough as the MLB season runs so long, but a perfect time would be right after the World Series, play the games in a warm country, it will just be like winter ball for some of these players. Get a good group of young players, and send them to go play for their country. You may not win, but it would be exciting, and give young players and opportunity to show what they got on the big stage.