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16
07
2008
USA Olympic Roster announced
Posted by: Mike A. in Asides, USA Baseball. Tagged: 2008 OlympicsIt’s a solid group. The rotation is excellent, led by Brett Anderson, Jake Arrieta, Trevor Cahill and Steven Strasburg (San Diego State), and the bullpen is solid with Casey Weathers, Mike Koplove and Jeff Stevens (the guy the Indians got for Brandon Phillips). GM Bob Watson went for hitters that he knew could handle top flight pitching, surrounding young studs Colby Rasmus, Dexter Fowler and Matt LaPorta with veteran mashers Mike Hessman, John Gall and Terry Tiffee. No Yankees made the team, but I can’t imagine they were too keen on letting a guy like Mark Melancon leave their watch for a month.
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Mike,
What do you put their odds at medaling?
I dunno, depends on what the other teams look like. But they have some very good pitching, power arms than can dominate good hitters, so they should do well. I’d be surprised if they didn’t medal.
Considering that the Indians managed to take C.C. Sabathia off the 2000 team to protect the jewel of their farm, why didn’t they remove Matt LaPorta?
Hitter doesn’t need the protection of a Pitcher
True. I just figured they’d be extra extra cautious… if LaPorta blows his knee out, then the CC deal looks pretty meager.
And he could blow out his knee in practice in Triple A.
These guys are athletes. You don’t act scared.
Just breezed through their stats on MILB.com. Do you think team speed will be a concern? Not alot of stolen bases.
Maybe, although Fowler and Rasmus can run. In a short tournament like that, pitching will win.
What Latin American teams are in the tournament?
If anyone cares, the “Jeter flies into the stands!!!” game is on YES right now.
The Teams are:
US
Canada
China
Chinese Tiapei (Tiawan)
Cuba
Japan
South Korea
Netherlands
…If the US doesn’t medal I’ll be shocked
Jason Jones, starting the AA all-star game
Yeah, Jeff Marquez started it last year. Alan Horne was the first pitcher out of the pen. Then the game was cancelled after the second inning due to massive amounts of fog.