However, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, and many baseball pundits, have argued the tournament grows the game, makes stars out of players and actually increases interest in MLB teams.YES:
A viewership of 4.48 million simply cannot be ignored as being important relative to the 11.8 million for the World Series in 2022. The loss of even one player at an average salary of $4.22 million in the MLB is expensive, but injuries can occur at any time. Players are all anxious to participate and would not turn down the opportunity to play. Pitcher Jose Urquidy says that pitching in the WBC felt the same as when he was more warmed up and pitched for the Houston Astros in the World Series.
: This is a situation where teams need to look at the big picture. In the short run, teams may be adversely affected by their players participating in the World Baseball Classic. But the game will benefit in the long run, which is particularly important for baseball, where interest has been declining. It is also the case where teams need to consider the interest of the game, as opposed to their own self-interest. Growing the game overall should eventually help individual teams as well.
There’s risk to MLB teams should players get injured in tournaments like the WBC, as MLB players have fully guaranteed contracts. Losing a key player can also affect the entire season for the team and chances for playoffs and the World Series. Interrupting regular spring training routines can also lead to complications and could impact performance during the regular season.Over the history of the WBC, attendance at games and viewership on various platforms has grown.