While most of the country has caught World Junior Hockey fever, we shouldn’t forget that the World Baseball Classic is just over three months away!  Team Canada has thus far made only one roster announcement for its upcoming entry at the World Baseball Classic, naming former Blue Jay Ernie Whitt as the team’s manager and naming 2006 MVP Justin Morneau to the team.  The pride of New Westminster, British Columbia is coming off a season in which he hit .300/.374/.499 with 23 HR and129 RBI.  The Canadians will be looking to improve on their 2-1 record from 2006 and will hopefully get a boost from playing in front of a home crowd Toronto.  In addition to Morneau, who else can Canadian fans expect to see sporting the red, white, and black?  Here’s a partial list of players who may be suiting up for Team Canada in March.

OF Jason Bay (Boston)- This Trail, British Columbia native is a veteran of Team Canada and the WBC, and a player we should expect to see playing with the Canucks in March.  In 2008, he hit .286, smashed 31 HRs and drove in 101 RBI.  Status: Probable

C Russell Martin (Los Angeles)- Martin missed the 2006 WBC as he was attempting to secure himself a spor in the major leagues.  He’s accomplished that and, in the process, has become one of the better catchers in the majors.  With a secure spot behind the plate in L.A., I wouldn’t be surprised to see Martin suit up for the 2009 WBC.  In 2008, he hit .280 with 13 HR and 69 RBI.  Status: Probable

OF/1B Joey Votto (Cincinnati)- Brampton, Ontario’s Votto had an impressive rookie season, hitting .297/.368/.506 with 24 HR and 84 RBI.  With a secure spot in Cincinnati, he’s likely to suit up in front of his (almost) hometown crowd.  Status: Probable

OF Matt Stairs (Philadelphia)- Upon his trade from Toronto in 2008, the now 41 year old Stairs indicated he was looking forward to returning for the WBC classic.  He hit .252 with 13 HR and 49 RBI in 2008.  Status: Probable

3B/OF Mark Teahen (Kansas City)- Teahen plays most of his big league ball in right, but would be more valuable to the Canadians at the hot corner.  He’s got some power in his bat too.  Status: Questionable

INF Pete Orr (Washington)- A utilityman still trying to find his way into a major league roster, Orr is a veteran of Team Canada and would be a big boost to a weak infield.  He’s hit .261 in 444 career MLB at-bats.  The only thing that might prevent him from suiting up in his hometown would be not willing to forego spring tranining in an attempt to land a big league position.  Status: Probable

SP Shawn Hill (Washington)- A member of Canada’s 2004 Olympic team, Hill underwent arthroscopic surgery in September, though reports indicate he should be able to pitch in the spring.  It’s likely, however, that he’ll report to Washington in the spring and not to Team Canada.  Status: Doubtful

SP Erik Bedard (Seattle)- Injuries kept Bedard to only 15 games in 2008 and was shut down for the year on July 4th.  This strikeout machine would be a major contibutor to the Canucks, but like Hill, he’ll likely begin to pitch again in the spring for his MLB team and not for Team Canada.  Status: Doubtful

SP Ryan Dempster (Chigago NL)- A starter turn closer turned starter again, Dempster is coming of a career year (17-6, 2.96, 187 Ks) and just signed a fat four year contract.  He’d be a huge help to Team Canada.  Status: Questionable

SP Rich Harden (Chicago NL)- Harden is finally healthy and living up to his potential.  He went 10-2 in 2008 with 181 Ks and an ERA of 2.07.  His presence would provide a major boost for the Canadians, but since he’s finally healthy, he may instead elect to opt out of the tournament and head south with the Cubbies.  Status: Questionable

SP Scott Richmond (Toronto)- Richmond was supposed to be the ace of Canada’s 2008 Olympic team, but was called up to Toronto a few weeks prior to the start of the Olympic tournament.  With two rotation spots open in Toronto, he’ll likely opt out of the tournament and make the push for a full time major league spot.  Status: Doubtful

SP Jeff Francis- A member of Canada’s 2006 WBC squad, Francis struggled in 2008, going 4-10 with an era north of 5 and battling injuries.  He’d be a big boost to the Canucks should he elect to play.  Status: Questionable

RP Jesse Crain (Minnesota)- Another veteran of the 2006 WBC squad, Crain is a quality reliever who should be suiting up in front of his hometown crowd.  Status: Probable

RP Eric Gagne (Free Agent)- His career may be in the tubes, but he could be a valuable addition to the Canadian team.  If he manages to sign a deal with a big league team (and it might be a minor league deal at that), expect him to report to spring traninig.  However, without a contract, he may use the WBC as a venue to show scouts that there is still gas in the tank.  Status: Questionable

Aside from these major leaguers, Aaron Guiel, Sebastien Boucher, Ryan Radmanovich and Adam Stern will be competing for outfield spots, Stubby Clapp and Danny Klassen can round out the infield. Pete LaForest is likely to see time behind the plate, Scott Thorman will be a serviceable backup to Morneau, and Vince Perkins and Scott Mathieson will provide additional arms.  Mathieson could start if enough big leaguers turn down the invite.

It’ll be interesting to see if Top 50 prospect Phillipe Aumont or 2008 16th overall selection Brett Lawrie, a member of the 2008 Olympic squad, will be called upon to play at the WBC.  My guess is that you won’t see Lawrie; Aumont is an unlikely possibility.  You can check out the full Olympic roster, which included a number of minor leaguers, here.