{"id":334507,"date":"2026-01-31T06:39:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T11:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=334507"},"modified":"2026-02-11T11:53:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:53:32","slug":"german-mesa-and-his-players-optimistic-ahead-of-upcoming-world-baseball-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/german-mesa-and-his-players-optimistic-ahead-of-upcoming-world-baseball-classic\/","title":{"rendered":"Germ\u00e1n Mesa and his players optimistic ahead of upcoming World Baseball Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With just over a month to go before the start of the new edition of the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/tag\/clasico-mundial-de-beisbol-wbc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">World Baseball Classic (WBC)<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, manager Germ\u00e1n Mesa is confident that the team he will lead in the tournament can repeat the performance of the\u00a0previous\u00a0edition, when they finished in fourth place.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In statements to the press, reported by the\u00a0EFE news\u00a0agency, the Havana-born manager assured that this result could be achieved regardless of\u00a0whether or not\u00a0the roster includes players who currently play in\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/tag\/mlb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Major League Baseball<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(MLB).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-16.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-7.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Otmaro Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a matter of names,\u201d\u00a0but of\u00a0\u201cthose who want to be there,\u201d\u00a0said the former player, who in the\u00a0previous\u00a0edition\u00a0accompanied\u00a0strategist Armando Johnson on the coaching staff, as bench coach.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-5.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-8.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Otmaro Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI believe that in these short events, the best team\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0always win, the team that plays best wins. We are preparing to play the best game possible.\u00a0Who\u2019s\u00a0to say we\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0win?\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said, while several of the eligible players were conducting a training session at the Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-9.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-15.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-14.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Otmaro Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Drop\u00a0in several players<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Cuba team will\u00a0participate\u00a0with part of its roster in the Series of the Americas to be held in early February in\u00a0Venezuela, and\u00a0then will play a four-game friendly series against Nicaragua.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By then, the roster that will\u00a0participate\u00a0in the Classic should be\u00a0finalized, and it will be clear how many MLB players will be able to\u00a0represent\u00a0the island in the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the last edition, Cuba had the services of infielders Andy Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez (recently\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/deportes\/beisbol\/cubanos-en-mlb-andy-ibanez-se-va-a-los-dodgers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">), Yoan Moncada (who recently\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/deportes\/beisbol\/cubanos-en-mlb-angelinos-extienden-su-confianza-en-yoan-moncada\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">extended\u00a0his\u00a0contract with the Los Angeles Angels<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (traded last week from the Chicago White Sox to the New York Mets).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"1Gc6lcF38D\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/deportes\/beisbol\/cubanos-en-mlb-luis-robert-jr-se-muda-a-nueva-york-para-jugar-con-los-mets\/\">Cubanos en MLB: Luis Robert Jr. se muda a Nueva York para jugar con los Mets<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u00abCubanos en MLB: Luis Robert Jr. se muda a Nueva York para jugar con los Mets\u00bb \u2014 OnCubaNews\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/deportes\/beisbol\/cubanos-en-mlb-luis-robert-jr-se-muda-a-nueva-york-para-jugar-con-los-mets\/embed\/#?secret=W5bZgZ1jpL#?secret=1Gc6lcF38D\" data-secret=\"1Gc6lcF38D\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This was an unprecedented situation, and these players, along with others with\u00a0previous\u00a0experience in MLB and the Minor Leagues, proved to be key pieces in advancing to the decisive stage, the most outstanding performance since the second-place finish in the inaugural edition of the tournament.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For this occasion, Luis Robert declined the opportunity to repeat the experience and, according to reports, Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez recently declined his inclusion in the group\u00a0in order to\u00a0accelerate his preparation for the upcoming season.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Another player who was in the\u00a0initial\u00a0plans of the coaching staff and announced that he would not join the group was Dodgers outfielder Andy\u00a0Pag\u00e9s, who recently won the World Series again after a remarkable season.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Regarding\u00a0the change of heart of the player from Pinar del R\u00edo, who had initially assured that he would be in the Classic, the Cuban manager attributed it to a\u00a0\u201cpersonal\u201d\u00a0decision that he did not comment on, according to\u00a0EFE.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-13.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-12.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Otmaro Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Warming up<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The group of 18 eligible players, including several who play in various professional leagues, began their preparation for the Classic.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One of their key players is pitcher\u00a0Liv\u00e1n\u00a0Minelo,\u00a0from Pinar del R\u00edo,\u00a0who told the\u00a0news agency\u00a0that beyond the possibility of having MLB players, the important thing is to\u00a0\u201cplay good baseball.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"zGALu9ePC1\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/deportes\/beisbol\/cuba-comienza-a-ajustar-su-maquinaria-rumbo-al-clasico-mundial-de-beisbol\/\">Cuba comienza a ajustar su maquinaria rumbo al Cl\u00e1sico Mundial de B\u00e9isbol<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u00abCuba comienza a ajustar su maquinaria rumbo al Cl\u00e1sico Mundial de B\u00e9isbol\u00bb \u2014 OnCubaNews\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/deportes\/beisbol\/cuba-comienza-a-ajustar-su-maquinaria-rumbo-al-clasico-mundial-de-beisbol\/embed\/#?secret=HIHtZEfj5u#?secret=zGALu9ePC1\" data-secret=\"zGALu9ePC1\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think that so far the main thing is to improve on that fourth-place finish, which I think left a good taste,\u201d\u00a0said the Most Valuable Player of the past season in the Pacific Division of the Japanese Professional Baseball League (NPB) and champion of the tournament with the SoftBank Hawks.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0possible to be among the top three and I believe that with the guys we have, we can achieve it.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0all about working with the right mindset to win,\u201d\u00a0he added.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Santiago de Cuba infielder Yoel Yanqui, who played in Nicaragua this year and has experience in MLB Triple-A, shared a similar view.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-11.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-10.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Otmaro Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI say that if everyone goes out there and gives their best, I think we can repeat our success. This is a team sport.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0individual,\u201d\u00a0he emphasized.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Cuba team is scheduled to debut in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they will compete against the teams from Canada, Panama,\u00a0Colombia\u00a0and the host country.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In addition to the Puerto Rican capital, the\u00a06th\u00a0World Baseball Classic will have preliminary rounds in Japan and the United States. For the next round, the action will be concentrated in the American cities of Houston and Miami, the latter also chosen to host the final.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1140px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Basebal_-Cuba_otma-6.jpg\" alt=\"Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.\u00a0\" width=\"1140\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0Otmaro\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Cuban manager believes the team can advance to the semifinals again, regardless of the absence of players who play in Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3134,"featured_media":334511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13902,33528],"tags":[14947,35069,34639],"ppma_author":[33546],"class_list":["post-334507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cuba","category-sports-cuba","tag-cuban-baseball","tag-german-mesa","tag-world-baseball-classic"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Germ\u00e1n Mesa and his players optimistic ahead of upcoming World Baseball Classic | OnCubaNews English<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"World Baseball Classic: manager Germ\u00e1n Mesa is confident that the team he will lead in the tournament can repeat the performance of the previous edition.\" \/>\n<meta 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