Scherzer, Posey, McCutchen commit to play for US at WBC

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Chris Archer was so excited to pitch for the United States at the World Baseball Classic that he offered to recruit more players to join him.

In addition to Archer, the Tampa Bay Rays' ace right-hander, the U.S. will have NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals, 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Getting Scherzer, Posey, McCutchen, Archer, Toronto Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones to sign up sends that message.

Torre said Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich, Cleveland Indians reliever Andrew Miller and Kansas City Royals starter Danny Duffy committed to play and that he hasn't yet spoken to two-time AL MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.

Torre and the U.S. staff will continue to seek players out before that deadline, but he's thrilled at the excitement of players like Archer, who Leyland described as "all fired up" to play.