Earlier this week, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb and New York Mets youngster Nolan McLean solidified their commitments to Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The Americans are looking to win back the title they won in 2017 after losing to Japan in the 2023 version of the event, and they've assembled one of the best rosters they've ever had so far.

As noted by WBC expert Shawn Spradling, Team USA's position player group is comprised of Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Schwarber, Aaron Judge, Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., Brice Turang, Will Smith and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. There is room for six more position players.

Skubal and Webb are joined in the rotation by Paul Skenes and Joe Ryan. The bullpen has eight of 11 spots filled. Matthew Boyd is a starting pitcher helping make up that group, as are McLean and Clay Holmes.

What does this mean for the Mariners?

First and foremost, it means that Raleigh will not be in Mariners camp for somewhere between two and three weeks. It's never desirable to have one of your team leaders out of camp, but it's the reality of this tournament and it will affect teams all over the league.

Secondly, the Mariners are getting closer to the reality that they won't have to send any of their starting pitchers to play for Team USA. With four starters already making up the rotation, plus Holmes, Boyd and McLean serving as starters in the bullpen, does Team USA really need to go out and bring in Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller or George Kirby?

It seems more likely that manager Mark DeRosa will go out and try to find elite back-end bullpen help to pair with Mason Miller and David Bednar.

While Woo, Gilbert and Kirby could all help Team USA, having them stay in camp would be a big win for the Mariners, who would love to control their workload and monitor their health.

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Is this a guarantee? 

No. Players unfortunately get hurt early in spring training and pull out, and sometimes they just decide to pull out of the tournament at the last minute, so there is still a chance that Mariners' starters could get asked, but the M's are undoubtedly happy to see those odds dwindling.

At this moment, it seems more likely that Team USA could ask Gabe Speier to play, as Boyd and Garrett Cleavenger are the only lefties in the bullpen.

When is the WBC?

March 5-17, 2026

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