Bay, Perez plan to play in WBC

12/05/2005
DALLAS -- In the first significant announcement of the Winter Meetings, it was revealed Monday that Pirates players Jason Bay, Salomon Torres and Oliver Perez could be changing uniforms at some point next spring.
However, Pirates fans need not worry that some of their top players are destined to be shipped out of town at baseball's annual swap meet. Bay, Torres and Perez have simply agreed to participate for their countries, if asked, in the inaugural World Baseball Classic to be held next March during Spring Training.
Bay, who was presented with the Tip O'Neill Award as Canada's top player following each of his two full big league seasons, will be counted upon to anchor a Team Canada lineup that could also include former Bucs outfielder/first baseman Matt Stairs, Twins first baseman Justin Morneau and Blue Jays third baseman Corey Koskie.
"I'm definitely looking forward to participating in this with all of the guys that we have," said Bay, who in 2004 became Canada's first Rookie of the Year Award winner. "It's something new, it will be fun and it's good for the game."
Perez, who is coming off of a disappointing 2005 campaign after leading all Major League starters in strikeouts per nine innings the previous season, could be one of the top starters for his native Mexico. And because Canada and Mexico are both in Pool B, along with United States and South Africa, Perez and Bay could square off early on in the tournament.
"That will be interesting if it happens. There will definitely be bragging rights on the line," Bay said of his possible matchup with Perez.
Torres, the Bucs' top right-handed setup man and a part-time closer a year ago, and former Bucs closer Jose Mesa were among those who have agreed to participate on what should be a powerful Dominican squad.
More Pirates players, including Mexican native Humberto Cota, could be added to World Baseball Championship rosters at a later date. Sixty-man rosters must be submitted by Jan. 17 with the ultimate 30-man rosters finalized 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament. The final rosters must include a minimum of 13 pitchers and three catchers. MLB has committed to using 60 percent of Major League-affiliated players. All the players announced on Monday have the blessings of the players association and the MLB owners, who have collectively spent months in the initial culling process.
The inaugural World Baseball Classic, a 16-team tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), will take place March 3-20 and feature the world's best players competing for their home countries and territories for the first time. Fans will be able to follow all the games live exclusively online at MLB.com.
First-round action will be played at four sites. Pool A, consisting of Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and China, will meet at the Tokyo Dome, March 3-5. Pool B, featuring USA, Canada, Mexico and South Africa will play at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Scottsdale Stadium, Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants, March 7-10. Pool C is Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and the Netherlands, and will play at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 7-10. Pool D, featuring the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia and Italy will play at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, March 7-10.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the second round, which takes place March 12-15 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico and Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The semifinals and finals will be held at San Diego's PETCO Park, March 18-20.

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/