#world-baseball-classic

#world-baseball-classic

The Cubs have yet another player headed to the World Baseball Classic this spring, with Alex Bregman announcing his commitment to Team USA on Thursday morning.

When it comes to former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin, he was a popular fan favourite that the entire nation of Canada had grown to adore during his time with the ballclub. After all, Martin helped lead the Blue Jays to two exciting postseason runs during his tenure with the team. Despite being with Toronto for only four years, many felt that he had been with the Blue Jays his whole life considering his Canadian roots. Well, Martin will have the Canadian fans behind him once again in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic as he return to the coaching staff for Team Canada in the tournament.

On Saturday evening, Shi Davidi reported that Freddie Freeman has withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons, as has former Sportsnet's Toronto Blue Jay Jordan Romano. Freeman played for Canada in both the 2017 and 2023 tournaments. In 2023, the first baseman slashed .200/.273/.200 with an RBI in 10 at-bats over three games. He also struggled in his three games in 2017, slashing just .182/.182/.182.

That acquisition might have come in the form of catcher Harry Ford, who they got in a deal from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for lefty reliever Jose A. Ferrer. It was a move Nationals fans had dreamed of, as Ford had no clear path to consistent playing time in Seattle behind MVP candidate Cal Raleigh, and the Nationals had a clear need to upgrade at catcher from their incumbent duo of Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams.