A long list of star position players decorated rosters (...) but a lot of the sport’s best pitchers (...) did not participate

Luckily, Ohtani is both.

Why is the next WBC in 2026, and not 2025 (four years after the planned 2021 tournament) or 2027 (four years from now)? I thought they moved it to odd-numbered years in 2009 so it wouldn't interfere with the Winter Olympics...

I think they're going to have to use more relievers. Those starters need to stretch out before the season, and teams are going to be reluctant to let them miss out on spring training time to do that. The Royals let Brady Singer participate and he got in just one game, and I doubt he's stretched out and ready for the season next week now, I'm sure they regret letting him play.

I'd rejig things and hold the WBC later in spring. Start it about now , and run it as a prelude to the first MLB games. If they had started this past weekend and finished late next week, the pitchers would be stretched out and instead of returning from competition to two weeks of spring training, the players just show up for regular season.

RoyalsRetro has it right in #2: The way to get more high-quality pitchers into the WBC is increasing participation among high-end relievers.

Also, Ohtani's performance in this WBC, especially pitching the final inning, really highlights how much room there remains for the WBC to grow in excitement. It was very successful this year, but the "Ohtani vs Trout" final AB was so much better than if it had been a lesser pitcher (or lesser hitter).

Also, is there any player in MLB who would have more to lose by getting injured in the WBC than Ohtani? He is on the doorstep of the greatest payday in baseball history, and not only does he play in the tournament, he then warms up and pitches the highest-leverage inning of the entire tournament! And he was not holding back. If Ohtani can and is willing to do it, then who really has an excuse (short of rehabbing and injury) for not participating in the WBC?

Manfred is really pushing for more star USA pitchers. Having Merrill Kelly and a 40-year-old Adam Wainwright start in the championship round was bringing a knife to a gunfight. It nearly burned them against Venezuela. Then it led to a title contest where the USA was playing from behind for most of the game.

I think they're going to have to use more relievers. Those starters need to stretch out before the season, and teams are going to be reluctant to let them miss out on spring training time to do that. The Royals let Brady Singer participate and he got in just one game, and I doubt he's stretched out and ready for the season next week now, I'm sure they regret letting him play.

Right, load up the roster with ace closers / set-up men. No need to have even a single starter in there.

That would require a roster of at least 18 pitchers, probably more.

Why is the next WBC in 2026, and not 2025 (four years after the planned 2021 tournament) or 2027 (four years from now)?

Yeah, 2025 and 2029 should be the normal schedule, if not for two years worth of Covid delays. I'm guessing they didn't want to push the next one just two years after this one, and so they'd rather have a pair of three-year gaps. The Winter Olympics conflict really isn't a thing, that finishes on Feb 22, long before the WBC starts.

Chess did similar - one championship match was delayed from Covid, and they also delayed the next one so as not to have a very short gap.

Right, load up the roster with ace closers / set-up men. No need to have even a single starter in there.

That would require a roster of at least 18 pitchers, probably more.

I'm sure I'm missing something, but why would that be? The U.S. played what, all of 7 games in 11 days? If 10 or 11 pitchers can't cover 63 innings in 11 days, there must be something wrong with them. Just bring in a couple of good middle relievers and set-up men if you want to save the closers for tight finishes.