There is unfortunate news for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC. Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez will be unable to participate due to insurance-related issues. They explored every possible option to participate until the very last moment, but unfortunately, it did not work out.

47 comments

  2. correa makes sense. baez with his injuries also. can’t quite figure out what’s keeping lindor out though, he had one minor injury from what i can see?

  8. I was really hoping for an 11th hour miracle but man what a bummer

    This tournament only happens once in a while (who tf even knows what the pattern is anymore, although I think it’s going to be every four years).

    The only positive is that it opens up doors for the other teams in the Pools

  9. This really sucks. Like, I get the risk, but it’s awful with Puerto Rico hosting this year and it probably being the most star-studded WBC to date.

  10. I am no fan of insurance companies, but every possible option includes the owner, player, or combination of both taking on the risk, rather than an insurance company (effectively self insuring).

  11. Congrats to MLB and the organizers on completely destroying the legitimacy of this tournament by pulling this shit to one of its most famous countries (a HOST NATION mind you) just so they can get their manufactured US Japan rematch, unreal

  12. Let’s call it direct: MLB Owners are blocking the WBC.

    They need as much bad press as possible before the contract expiration so they understand we’re not on their side. Better if Ricketts loses his election in November just as a sign of baseball solidarity. But this is just Steve Cohen having bitter taste after the injury in 2023. And it is ridiculous.

  13. This sucks, a lot. But also a reminder that MLB teams can just…let their players play anyway and accept the risk of the contract. Insurance makes it “easier”, sure, but they can also just let them play. Like they do for Winter Ball, etc.

  18. We can say it is insurance, but really it is the team that is preventing their participation, no?

  19. What a sham too after putting a pool in San Juan. This tourney deserves to fail at this point.

  20. Maybe Rojas was right something is up with PR and their insurance firm they use. Why is it all the other big stars are getting it done but not them

  21. Baseball is better than any other sport at getting in its own way.

    No sport manages to self sabotage itself so effectively with decisions completely in their control.

    And with that, I await next year’s lockout.

  23. This was, IMO the last tournament for PR to have a chance (as low as it was) to make it to the finals. By 2030 the core will be too old, and considering the lack of top prospects from Puerto Rico currently…

  25. Can someone explain this to me. Are they supposed to be insured through local insurance companies in Puerto Rico? I’m trying to figure out why this would only affect them.

  26. This is not surprising. It’s unfortunate but they’re all over 30 with CURRENT injury concerns. If all 3 are healthy I don’t think PR makes the final anyway.  It just makes it seem worse that it’s all 3, but if you analyze each individual case it’s for the best for each player. 

  27. This might be the fist time in WBC history that Puerto Rico doesn’t make it out of Group Play.

    * Lindor (SS)
    * Correa (3b/SS)
    * Baez (2b/SS)
    * Hernandez (CF)
    * Carantini (C/1b)
    * Berrios (SP)
    * Moran (RP)
    * Rios (RP)

    Riley Greene and George Springer both declined invites, so they’re going to have to just pitch their way through Cuba/Canada/Colombia/Panama.

  28. I don’t really know what the solution is, but I think this is bullshit for the game of baseball. The whole selling point that MLB was going for with the WBC going forward was the superstars, the everyday players that everybody knows in an international setting. I feel like the players should just be able to sign a fucking waiver or something.

  29. This is beyond bullshit. This puts a stain over the whole tournament and has really killed my interest in it. Buxton getting insured but not Lindor is ridiculous.

  31. Jesus christ. Im going to PR for their first game and this is devastating. As a Cubs fan I was hoping at least Javy 

  32. That really sucks for Team Puerto Rico. Losing Lindor, Correa, and Báez is a huge hit.

  34. Is this news up to date? The last I heard, the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation reversed its decision to withdraw at the MLB’s request, and insurance for key players was expected to be covered. Did that fall through after all?

  36. As a Puerto Rican what incentive would I even have to watch this shit. Our Captain can’t get approved of all people?? Every Rican should boycott attending or watching. Let them have another island host the games. MLB can fuck all the way off with the insurance requirements

  39. He was one the faces of the WBC marketing campaign when selling tickets and now they just decide not to approve his participation. This is just rotten.

  40. This is such BS. If the player wants to play, let them play. That’s like if my boss says I cannot go on vacation because I might get sick or injured

  41. No Correa?

    Who’s going to bring the buzzers to foster, erm, “team communication” now?

  43. I know he hasn’t confirmed it, but how the fuck is Mike Trout eligible to play in this with his injury history?

  45. I no longer have interest in the WBC.

    MLB screwed this up. It is supposed to be premier vehicle for promoting the game globally. They set it up to fail.

  46. Not to be biased but I really do think Puerto Rico has the best fans in all of international baseball, unfortunately all of our passion is gone, most people I know want us to withdraw and the ones that think we should participate have zero excitement for this tournament because of this situation.

Leave a Reply