Even with insurance issues keeping many of baseball's best players, such as former Twins shortstop Carlos Correa and Twins catcher Victor Caratini, from competing in the tournament, this year's World Baseball Classic (WBC) will still be a fun one. Twins stars Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan will represent star-studded Team USA, and there are several other fun Twins connections.
3 wild World Baseball Classic connections that'll blow Twins fans’ minds
Twins legend Justin Morneau is hitting coach for traded Minnesota infielder Edouard Jullien on Team Canada
Morneau represented his home country as a player in the 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics. Now, the Twins legend joins the team as a hitting coach.
While Canada's roster isn't nearly as formidable as those of the USA, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Japan, it has several players with big-league experience, meaning a deep run isn't out of the question for the nation. Canada's roster includes the Naylor brothers (Bo & Josh), Tyler O'Neill, Denzel Clarke, Owen Caissie, Michael Soroka and more. One name on the roster that will catch Twins fans' attention is infielder Edouard Julien, who Minnesota traded to the Colorado Rockies late last month. Julien played a key role on the Twins' 2023 team that defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Wild Card Series.
Former Twins starting pitcher Vance Worley will pitch for Great Britain
The "Vanimal" will represent Great Britain in this year's WBC after doing so in 2023. Last WBC, Worley started for Great Britain against Team USA during pool play, surrendering two runs (zero earned) while allowing three hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings.
During the 2012-13 offseason, the Twins acquired Worley and righty pitcher Trevor May from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere. Worley massively disappointed for the Twins, posting an awful 7.21 ERA in 48 2/3 innings across 10 starts before being demoted to Triple-A Rochester in May 2013. He spent the remainder of the 2013 season in Triple-A before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash on March 25, 2014.
Pablo López & Luis Arráez - who were traded for each other in 2023 - will represent Venezuela
They did the same thing during the 2023 WBC, but it's still interesting for Twins fans to see. During the 2022-23 offseason, the Twins traded Arráez to the Miami Marlins for López and prospects José Salas and Byron Chourio. Arráez, who recently signed a one-year deal worth $12 million with the San Francisco Giants, had a great 2023 season for Miami (4.6 bWAR), but has since regressed significantly (2.2 bWAR combined in 2024 & 2025 with the Marlins and San Diego Padres). As for López, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $73.5 million with Minnesota during the 2023 season, the righty has posted 8.0 bWAR and a 3.68 ERA in 78 starts for the Twins over the past three seasons.
López is the clear ace for Venezuela, and Arráez will likely play first base and designated hitter for his home country during the tournament.