While we probably still have to wait a couple of months to know about the rosters, news trickle in about the coaching staffs for the 2013 World Baseball Classic participants. Last night on twitter it was mentioned that John McLaren will be the manager of Team China at next March’s main event of the World Baseball Classic. He follows in the footsteps of Jim Lefevre and Terry Collins, who were other well-known names at the helm for China.
The 61-year-old McLaren has been working as an advance scout for the Washington Nationals organization this year. He managed the Seattle Mariners and the Nationals at the Major League level in the past. In 2006 he worked as third-base coach for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. China will play against Japan, Cuba and a Qualifier at the Fukuoda Dome in Japan in the first round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic from March 2 to 6.
Meanwhile some other news regarding managers for World Baseball Classic teams. Kim In-Sik is apparently expected to return as manager for Korea. He worked in this position at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic, leading Korea twice into the top-three of the final standings. Mexico is expected to hand the manager job to Rick Renteria, who is currently the bench coach of the San Diego Padres. Tony Pena, the bench coach of the New York Yankees, is the favorite to manage the Dominican Republic.