What a loaded Team USA could look like at the 2017 WBC

The World Baseball Classic embarks once again in 2017, and with the next entry in baseball’s global talent show comes a crossroads for Team USA and its place in the world game.

Thus far in the brief history of the contest, Team United States has not had the returns that were expected of it, with its best finish being a distant fourth place in 2009. Much of this lack of competitiveness has been tied to many of the nation’s best players choosing not to participate in the games due to conflicts with spring training and season preparation.

However, as the criticism has mounted about American ballplayers' commitment to representing in the games (a subtle to not-so-subtle jab at the patriotism of American-born MLBers), more premier players have begun to discuss getting involved in the tournament.

So far, a list of 50 preliminary players has been compiled whom could be called upon to participate in the games, and a few of those premier players have agreed to be a part of putting America’s best hand forward this time around. For example, Chris Archer, Nolan Arenado and 2016 Cy Young Award finalist Max Scherzer all announced they will accept invitations to join the team.

Those are the type of notable additions Team USA needs, however, there is still plenty of work to do before the final rosters are due in January. So what could a close-to-ideal Team USA roster look like? Here is a breakdown of the best that America could put together to have both a cohesive and representative team at the WBC.

Catchers: Buster Posey, Jonathan Lucroy, Matt Wieters

Catcher is a thin position for the U.S., and the Americans have a good chance of getting a trio of the very best that the game yields for Team USA. Posey is the top catcher in the game and can be a hallmark of the team in the way that David Wright was in 2013, providing vital leadership in addition to his obvious skill set behind the plate.

Carrying three catchers is a must in such an intense tournament, so having Lucroy and Wieters would be a huge coup for the team in ensuring there is no letdown behind the dish on any day. Lucroy was the primary backstop in 2013, while Wieters is another former Gold Glover who would be a big asset. Of the three, Wieters could potentially be the least likely to make trip, however, as he will likely be learning a new pitching staff on the other side of his free agency foray this winter.

First Base: Eric Hosmer, Matt Carpenter

Now, the most obvious pick at first base is absent here, as Paul Goldschmidt would be the no-brainer starting first baseman. However, he has not indicated any interest in being a part of the tournament yet, so the default goes back to Hosmer, who manned the role in the last WBC and was listed on the preliminary list for this tournament as well. He’s has some unique value as well, being a left-handed bat on a primarily right-handed roster. Hosmer has become a much different offensive player as well over the last four years while remaining a superb defender as well.

Joining Hosmer at first base is Carpenter, who is also an ultra-infield utilityman who can fit in at second and third base as well, along with being another capable left-handed bat.

Second Base: Dee Gordon, D.J. LeMahieu

Gordon could be one of the biggest X-factors on the roster with his rare combination of speed and on-base potential that he can bring to either the top or the bottom of the lineup.

A nice accompaniment for Gordon from what could be a packed and diverse group of players who could fill in up the middle, LeMahieu, the defending National League batting champion and a former Gold Glove winner, would be a welcome addition. He represents the type of understated intangibles that a team of this sort needs to mesh well and cover all of the scenarios that occur during a long tournament run. He emerges from a group that features Brian Dozier, Ian Kinsler, Jason Kipnis and the possible utility add of Ben Zobrist as well, who competed in the previous WBC.

Third Base: Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, Justin Turner

The hot corner is where a stockpile of two of the top talents in the world could be held for Team USA. Arenado has already formally committed to attending, assuring that the team will feature one of the best two-way players in the game today. However, getting Bryant (who is listed on the 50-player preliminary list) would be a massive addition for multiple reasons. It would give the team one of the elusive "faces" of the game, as well as a player who could work in to the same everyday lineup with Arenado, as he is capable of playing corner outfield spots in addition to third. The presence of both Arenado and Bryant alone in the U.S. lineup makes this a more formidable team than it was in 2013.

Joining them on the hot corner could also be another versatile infielder in Turner, who can contribute at first base too and be a lethal pinch-hitting option.

Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, Dansby Swanson

There is a plethora of young talent at the shortstop position today, but most originate from outside of the United States. Corey Seager stands out as the most productive native-born talent in the game today, yet he is not necessarily the best fit in this scenario.

However, Crawford is a perfect fit. Crawford is the premier defensive shortstop in the game today and as big of a difference maker with the glove as, saym an Arenado is at the plate or Posey is behind the dish.

And that brings us to perhaps the most surprising selection for the team in Swanson. He is the "Christian Laettner" pick of this group: very young but proven at every level he as competed at thus far. The already-franchise player in Atlanta brings a clear level of talent to the team, and the experience would serve him well, as he could be a future cornerstone of Team USA in upcoming years.

Outfielders: Christian Yelich, Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton, Kevin Kiermaier

OK, let’s get it out of the way: Yes, this group would look much better with Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. However, it does not appear that either will be suiting up for anyone outside of the Nationals or Angels. That’s a topic for another time that can (should and will) be discussed leading into the tournament, but for now, let’s look at what players could best represent the team.

While the potential presence of Bryant could alleviate the loss of the game’s top two outfielders, the team meeting its true potential could rest on how it rounds out the outfield otherwise.

Both Yelich and Stanton are on the preliminary roster for the team, and with Stanton having participated in 2013, it reasons to believe he would be open to returning. Yet, with a team that could still be healing from the loss of Jose Fernandez next spring, it's not out of the question that both could opt to stay in camp as well. However, both would be monumental lands for a U.S. team that could be without the aforementioned duo of superstars as is.

Jones also played in 2013 and would be a great addition yet again in center field. Kiermaier, who is the best defensive center fielder in the game, would be a fantastic addition for the team as well. Other options who would be easy fits include Lorenzo Cain, Charlie Blackmon and Ian Desmond.

Here is a glimpse at what type of potential lineup this team could yield:

1. Gordon, 2B
2. Yelich, LF
3. Bryant, DH
4. Stanton, RF
5. Arenado, 3B
6. Posey, C
7. Jones, CF
8. Hosmer, 1B
9. Crawford, SS

Starting Pitchers: Max Scherzer, Chris Archer, David Price, Noah Syndergaard

Relievers: Zach Britton, Craig Kimbrel, Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, Darren O’Day, Addison Reed, Tony Watson, Luke Gregerson

Pitching is always the trickiest portion of working out a roster, as many teams and players elect to stay back from attending, preferring to ease their arms with the season’s workload ahead. So while a Clayton Kershaw/Madison Bumgarner/Chris Sale/Max Scherzer-led rotation would obviously be a salacious, borderline explicit offering, it flat isn’t likely to ever happen.

Regardless, the U.S. is still able to put together a dream team of starters, and it certainly has to do better than the R.A. Dickey, Derek Holland and Ryan Vogelsong combinations it was forced to settle for in the past. While Kershaw has said that he would be interested in potentially joining the team in the championship rounds at Dodger Stadium, if the Americans advance that far and his health is willing, what is coming together for the U.S. already is the best pitching staff it has been able to compile to date, as both Scherzer and Chris Archer have already thrown their hats in to be a part of the team officially. Those are massive grabs for a U.S. club that can now go after other comparable options with this duo as an advertising chip.

It is easier to fill in a pitching staff around talents of the ilk of Scherzer and Archer, and if the team can land either, or potentially both, of Price and Syndergaard, no other nation will be able to compete with American pitching up front. Jake Arrieta and Corey Kluber have been mentioned as other possible entries, however they are less likely following the long postseason runs both are coming off of.

However, with pitch limits strictly intact during the tournament, the bullpen is really what can separate one nation from another. If the U.S. team can land a handful of elite closers such as Britton, Betances and Kimbrel, who served as closer on 2013 team, it will be in great shape. Add in a dash of elite setup and situational relievers such as O’Day, Watson, Gregerson, Reed and ALCS MVP Miller, and American pitching will be the hallmark of landing the first championship for the nation where the game originated.