Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 World Baseball Classic is set to begin next month, and while the event is a unique and exciting one for the players and fans, it may cause some MLB managers to lose sleep.

Buck Showalter will be one of the managers hit hardest by the WBC this spring, as up to a dozen Mets may end up participating in the event (full rosters will be revealed on Thursday evening).

The Mets are set to be without their entire starting infield, starting catcher, closer, top lefty reliever, and No. 4 starter at minimum for parts of spring training. While Showalter appreciates what the WBC can do for the game, he also expressed some concerns when speaking about the event at the Thurman Munson Awards Tuesday.

“We are excited and proud that they are going, but they can’t come back and be way behind,” Showalter said. “You worry when guys start their clock up that quickly, but [the WBC] is good for the game, I am told, and that is the bottom line. It enhances our game globally and I support it, but I am looking at it selfishly from what’s best for the New York Mets.”

In addition to losing time in Port St. Lucie, injuries are another natural concern when players participate in the WBC as players will be playing in high-leverage situations without having gone through a full spring training schedule. Showalter noted that he believed there should be a limit on how many players a team is allowed to send to the event to keep it fair for all clubs.

“It would be interesting to go through all 30 teams and see what the number is for each one,” Showalter said. “Wouldn’t you think that to keep a competitive level for spring training you might have a limit so somebody wouldn’t gain an advantage over somebody else?”

The silver lining for the Mets sending so many players to the WBC is that it does give added opportunities for young players who otherwise might be splitting time with veterans. The Mets will get long looks at the progress players like Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Ronny Mauricio have made this offseason with the regular starters all out.

Besides that, there’s not much Showalter can do except stay in communication with his players and the WBC managers to ensure they are staying as ready as possible for Opening Day. While the WBC will assuredly be a fun event, Showalter and Mets fans everywhere will be watching it with partially bated breath.