Johnson gets serious with Team USA

Davey Johnson has felt more like a college football recruiter than a baseball manager since he was named manager of the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic earlier this month. He's pitched the idea of playing for the U.S. to top major league stars, with mixed success.

A lot of guys have turned him down. Then again, a lot of guys have said yes. And those are the players Johnson wants to talk about.

"We didn't do good two years ago,'' he said of the U.S. failing to advance to the semifinals of the inaugural WBC in 2006. "That can't happen, and the guys we're asking to play understand that.''

Johnson, whose coaching staff has been bolstered by the additions of Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt and 12-time All-Star Barry Larkin, said he plans to have just four starting pitchers. He is set on his right-handers: John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels and Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros have agreed to pitch in the tournament. He's still working on his left-handers, though he is hopeful that Jon Lester of the Red Sox and Cliff Lee of the Indians, the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, will elect to take part.

"The way the schedule is set up,'' he said, "you probably could get by with three starters.''

Lester would appear to be very iffy. Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia, the American League MVP, have both said they'll play for Team USA. Daisuke Matsuzaka has committed to pitching for Japan, DH David Ortiz will be playing for the Dominican Republic if he's healthy and outfielder Jason Bay played for Canada in the inaugural classic in 2006. One club source said he hoped that neither Lester nor closer Jonathan Papelbon will be on the Team USA squad.

Johnson's intention is to load up on relievers; he said Twins closer Joe Nathan, who he ran into in Las Vegas during the winter meetings, has already committed.

"The rules say we can have 28 players,'' Johnson said in a phone interview this week. "But we'll probably carry 13 (position) players and 13 pitchers. The reason is I want everybody on my club to get lots of playing time.''

Johnson said he'll probably divide his relievers into two groups, using one group in one game, and the other in the next. He also stressed that he does not plan to approach the tournament like he's managing an All-Star Game, where the emphasis is making sure everyone plays.

"I don't like what happened two years ago,'' Johnson said. "We're putting this team together and running it more like you would in a playoff game.

"What you really want to do is put your best foot forward. We're not going to be taking out guys who are swinging the bats good. It takes two or three at-bats sometimes to get your timing, and we want that guy up with the game on the line. There may be some guys who play all nine (innings).''

A number of top stars have declined invitations to play, including sluggers Ryan Howard and Josh Hamilton, and a number of first-rank pitchers, including CC Sabathia, Brandon Webb, Cole Hamels, Brad Lidge and Josh Beckett.

Johnson said Giants ace Tim Lincecum and Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay also have indicated they will not participate.

"Josh, he had a great year, he deserved to be asked,'' Johnson said of Hamilton. "I understand how he wants to keep his regimen regular.

"I spoke to Ryan [Howard]. He's a little bit of a slow starter. I understand he came out of the gate slow. He talked about wanting to do more hard work this spring.

"You've got players who were free agents, like Sabathia, who are going to a new club, they need to be with that club, bonding with their new teammates and coaching staff. I understand that.

"I talked to some of the agents. Say, a Halladay, when you're talking about that type of pitcher, a Tom Seaver, they have their training program down to a gnat's ass. I understand that.''

Johnson said Marcel Lachemann, the long-time big-league pitching coach who will serve in that capacity for Team USA, is committed to keeping the team's pitchers on a schedule as close as possible to their regular routine.

At the WBC introductory press conference at the winter meetings, where Johnson was introduced as manager, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was showcased as a star who planned to play in the tournament for a second time. Other players who have signed on with Team USA include Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, Mets third baseman David Wright and Braves catcher Brian McCann. Johnson said he was still awaiting word on whether Twins catcher Joe Mauer would agree to play.

"No. 1, we want players to do what's best for their careers,'' Johnson said, "and No. 2, we want guys who see the chance to represent their country and play against the world, and look at it as an honor. I've talked to Youkilis and Pedroia, for example; they're really pumped.''

Johnson, who spent 14 seasons managing in the big leagues (Mets, Reds, Orioles, and Dodgers) coached for Team USA on manager Buck Martinez's staff in 2006.

"They asked me to manage,'' he said, "but I didn't like the way the thing was going down. I think we've learned our lesson.''

Johnson said the U.S. was caught unprepared in the inaugural WBC.

"We assumed that if we threw our gloves out there and took our hacks, we were going to win,'' he said. "The rest of the world, the preparation was a lot better. I think mentally, we thought eventually someone was going to pop one, and we would win. Getting on base, setting the table, then striking the ball pretty hard, we weren't doing that.

"I think we led the world in home runs in batting practice.''

A major hurdle is the timing of the 16-team tournament, which will begin March 5 with a game between China and Japan in Tokyo. Team USA's first game will be March 7 against Canada in the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

At that stage of the spring, big-league pitchers are still building arm strength, and hitters are nowhere near midseason form. Former manager Martinez, who was not asked back, said he thinks it would be better if MLB shut down for a couple of weeks in July to play the WBC.

That's not going to happen, but Johnson said that the addition of more exhibition games and practice time should help in preparation. He also has enlisted the assistance of Schmidt, a close personal friend; Larkin, whom he managed with in Cincinnati; and Billy Ripken, whom he managed in Baltimore. Reggie Smith is the hitting coach.

Johnson has asked Schmidt to be his third-base coach, while Larkin probably will serve as bench coach. Ripken will work with the infielders, while Smith probably will coach first base.