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February 14, 2009

Kottaras Will Skip WBC, Stay With Sox

Alex Speier, WEEI:
Canadian native George Kottaras confirmed that he won't be participating in the World Baseball Classic for Team Canada in order to concentrate on making the Red Sox roster. Kottaras, who is out of options, was originally on Canada's provisional roster for the WBC.

"I talked to the Red Sox and they said it would be best for my situation right now to stay here and spend every day here, so here I am," said Kottaras before Saturday's workout at the Red Sox minor league training facility in Fort Myers.
Smart move. While Josh Bard may be the favoured backup as camp opens, his name is written in pencil. There's no reason to be away from camp while Bard and Dusty Brown are showing off their stuff.
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7 comments:

  1. SoSockFebruary 15, 2009 at 4:26 AM

    I'm impressed.
    A lot of guys would use the fact that they are probably not going to be the #2 man as a reason to do he opposite. Take a WTF approach. Go to the WBC and maybe get seen a little by someone else.
    Still doesn't change the fact that he's #3 at best, but it is commendable.
    BTW - Clean-up day at the field yesterday.
    I smell baseball!!

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  2. accudartFebruary 15, 2009 at 7:11 AM

    Not sure that is right choice. If he can't make the team maybe the exposure of the WBC would be better. I don't know what his upside even is so I'm not one to comment.
    What I can comment on is that I pulled out my softball bag and took some mighty cuts in the living room Thursday. Allan used to have a lively bat back in the day. Unfortunatly his wild throws from 3b became common place. He was diagnosed with Steve Blass syndrome and had to retire at a young age. He later went on however to write an award winning blog.

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  3. allanFebruary 15, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    Unfortunatly his wild throws from 3b became common place. He was diagnosed with Steve Blass syndrome and had to retire at a young age.

    ... says the guy who would plunk down little 20-foot dribblers and then boast that he was hitting a robust .750 ... while I was crankin' taters to left-center.

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  4. allanFebruary 15, 2009 at 7:29 AM

    If Kottaras can hit a bit this spring, he could sneak in behind Bard. He's out of options, so not having him on the roster could mean losing him on waivers.

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  5. PatrickFebruary 15, 2009 at 12:42 PM

    Bard is the clear choice right now (I think), but he sucked last season, and maybe he's not going to bounce back.

    I'd rather see a young guy get the job.

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  6. UnknownFebruary 15, 2009 at 4:24 PM

    You'd think Kottaras might be able to try to mash international pitchers during the WBC to bolster his case as a major-league catcher, but if the Red Sox say "jump" he's probably not in any position to do much other than ask "how high?"

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  7. laura kFebruary 15, 2009 at 5:14 PM

    I can't believe I'm missing our WBC game. Pfft.

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