New York Mets manager Buck Showalter concerned about high number of his players planning to play in World Baseball Classic

New York Mets manager Buck Showalter supports the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but he has his concerns about the event.

As many as 12 players from the prospective 2023 Mets roster are planning to compete in the WBC, which will take place during Major League Baseball's spring training, from March 8-21.

Showalter, the on-field leader of a team with World Series-winning expectations and a projected total payroll in excess of $336 million for 2023, said his concerns are somewhat selfish.

“You worry when guys start their clock up that quickly, but (the WBC) is good for the game, I am told, and that is the bottom line. It enhances our game globally and I support it, but I am looking at it selfishly from what’s best for the New York Mets,” Showalter said, according to the New York Post.

Mets major leaguers Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Brooks Raley, Adam Ottavino, Francisco Lindor, Edwin Diaz, Michael Perez, Eduardo Escobar, Omar Narvaez, Jose Quintana, as well as minor leaguers Cameron Opp and Claudio Scotti are all anticipating being called into play for their respective national teams when rosters are announced on Thursday.

That's a lot of roster pieces that will not be in the Mets' spring training camp for several weeks as WBC teams also need time to prepare for the March tournament rather than taking part in practices and games with their MLB teams in preparation for the 2023 campaign.

“We are excited and proud that they are going, but they can’t come back and be way behind,” Showalter said, according to the Post.

However, while players such as Alonso, McNeil, and Lindor – all of whom have their names etched in stone among the New York Mets starters – are away, there will be time for Showalter and his coaches to get extended looks at heralded rookie prospects such as Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez.

“I told them to bring both [uniforms], gray and white, they are going to get a lot of playing time,” Showalter said of the trio of prospects, according to the Post. “We will get a good look at them. The good thing is they will come in and try not to rush the guys that are leaving.

"The worst thing would be for somebody to leave and go and not play (in the WBC), and I have voiced that to the managers.”

Buck Showalter (11) of the New York Mets visits the mound.

Pressure is on for New York Mets, Showalter, in 2023

The New York Mets bowed out of the 2022 National League playoffs in a wild-card loss to the San Diego Padres last season.

With new owner Steve Cohen opening the checkbook and infusing liquid cash into the organization this past winter with expectations of a World Series title in 2023, the pressure is on for Showalter and the Mets to start the season off well.

While the manager is right to be concerned about what the WBC could do to the Mets' hopes, he is still happy for his players that will have the opportunity to play in preseason tournament that takes place every four years.

“I know the guys really want to go. There’s nobody forced to go. I know talking to them they are all excited about it,” he told the Post. “But my big thing was returning everybody healthy."