<h2>Red Sox Players Rival Nations in WBC</h2>

<p>As the snow melts and MLB's spring training begins, the Red Sox are set to send a talented contingent to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Set from March 5th to 17th, the WBC will see Sox players strutting their stuff across multiple teams, but which stars are going where?</p>

<ul>
  <li>Garret Whitlock - Team USA</li>
  <li>Ceddanne Rafaela - Netherlands</li>
  <li>Jovani Morán - Puerto Rico</li>
</ul>

<figcaption>Garret Whitlock, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Jovani Morán are among the Red Sox players headed to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. (Getty Images, MLB.com)</figcaption>

<blockquote><q>There may be some flux, but these are the likely participants based on recent reports.</q> <cite>– Chris Cotillo, Masslive.com</cite></blockquote>

<h2>Roman Anthony: MLB's Next Big Thing or Italy's?

  <figcaption>Roman Anthony is a hot commodity. Could Team Italy scoop him up for the WBC?</figcaption></h2>

  <p>In a twist, Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, also a member of Team Italy, revealed on the <em>Foul Territory</em> show last week that he's eager to recruit one player above all: Roman Anthony.</p>

  <p>"Roman Anthony is my white whale," Pasquantino said at around 1:43:16 on the show.</p>

  <p>Why the pursuit? In 71 games last season, Anthony amassed 3.1 bWAR with a sterling .292/.396/.463 slash line. Pasquantino, with more MLB experience (424 games), has merely 4.9 bWAR.</p>

  <p>But why chase Anthony when he's eligible for Team USA? Simple: Italy could use a game-changer. Anthony might be among baseball's elite by the next WBC. Italy, however, lacks the depth to match Anthony's potential.</p>

  <p>"The average of the projections currently on FanGraphs predict a slash line of .263/.358/.437 with around 20 home runs this year," said an MLB.com reporter. "And about a 3.0 WAR season. But even if you think that's his max for a sophomore season, that's looking pretty good!"</p>

  <h3>Italy's Chance</h3>

  <p>With Anthony potentially on the cusp of stardom, Italy should pounce now. If he performs like projected, MLB won't want him representing another nation in the future.</p>

  <p>"He literally might not be available for the next WBC," the MLB.com reporter added.</p>

  <h2>When and Where to Watch</h2>

  <p>The 2026 World Baseball Classic runs from March 5th to 17th. Catch all the action, including Red Sox players performing for their respective nations, on MLB Network.</p>