Webb prioritizes Giants' clubhouse chemistry

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- There was a notable omission from Team USA’s pitching staff when rosters for the World Baseball Classic were announced last week.

Despite committing in December to participate in the tournament, Logan Webb wasn’t listed among the players who are expected to suit up for the United States next month. The 26-year-old ace had hinted at that possibility earlier this month during an appearance at Giants FanFest.

• Giants' catching competition is wide open

Following the first spring workout for Giants pitchers and catchers at Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday, Webb explained that he decided to pull out of the WBC because he felt it was more important to remain in big league camp and help lead a culture change for San Francisco's roster.

“It would have been really cool to represent the country and play with a lot of those guys, but the main thing for me was to be here with these guys,” Webb said. “We’ve got big goals this year. I want to be a part of that effort. Being here was important to me.”

Entering his fifth Major League season, Webb has taken on more of a leadership role within the clubhouse and has said he thinks the club might have gotten too “complacent” last season after winning a franchise-record 107 games in 2021. San Francisco missed the playoffs after going 81-81 last year and was unable to land top free agents Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa during the offseason.

With no superstar in the fold, Webb remains the best candidate to emerge as the new face of the Giants. He is all but certain to make his second consecutive Opening Day start when the Giants begin their 2023 campaign at Yankee Stadium on March 30, and he believes the team will have a chance to surprise after adding Michael Conforto, Mitch Haniger, Sean Manaea, Ross Stripling, Taylor Rogers and Luke Jackson.

• Projecting the Giants' Opening Day roster

While he hopes to have another opportunity to participate in the WBC in the future, Webb said he’s excited to get to know his new Giants teammates and help keep the good vibes going this spring.

“I would have ended up missing a couple of weeks in the spring, and I think it’s the most important time,” Webb said. “I keep saying we want to change the culture and stuff like that. If I want to change the culture, I’ve got to be here doing that with these guys. It was a smooth process, honestly. They were super cool about it. They wished me the best of luck. Hopefully, I play for a long time and I have multiple chances to possibly do it.”

Outfielder Luis González was also hoping to play for his native Mexico in the WBC, but those plans fell through because of a last-minute insurance issue. Webb and González’s absences leave slugger Joc Pederson (Israel) and closer Camilo Doval (Dominican Republic) as the only members of the Giants’ 40-man roster who are expected to participate in the tournament.

Pederson said he is planning to join Team Israel on March 11 and will primarily play in the outfield. Israel and the Dominican Republic will compete in Pool D at loanDepot park, so Pederson and Doval could end up facing each other in Miami.

Pederson didn’t sound particularly enthused about a potential matchup with the Giants' flamethrower.

“Not really,” Pederson said. “He [expletive] throws 104 [mph]!”