Mets' Lindor explains why World Baseball Classic is important, even after Diaz injury

The injuries to Freddie Freeman and especially Edwin Diaz at the World Baseball Classic have sparked some questions regarding the value of the tournament, and sparked some scorching hot takes about whether or not it should be played. 

That is the exact type of reaction you might expect when a serious World Series contender loses one of its top players -- the Mets with Diaz -- for the entire season during a tournament that in no way benefits the Mets.

Despite that risk, there is plenty of incentive for players to want to play in it. Mostly because it means a lot to them to represent their country.

One of Diaz's Mets teammates, infielder Francisco Lindor, emphasized that on Thursday. 

“I understand how Mets fans are hurting," Lindor said, via ESPN's Marly Rivera.

"But while for so many people the regular season is what counts, playing in the WBC means just as much to all of us. It is the dream of every Puerto Rican ballplayer to wear Puerto Rico’s colors and to represent our country. And not only Puerto Ricans, but every player in the WBC considers being here the ultimate honor. We don’t want injuries to happen, but it is part of the game. Of course, this is sad for all Mets fans. And I want to thank them for being so concerned about us, and about Edwin, and I really do also feel your pain."

In other words, the players are willing to accept the risk for an opportunity to play for their country and represent it in an international tournament. They are not only representing their country, they are going all in for it. 

The passion is not limited to the players. The atmospheres in the stadiums have been some of the best you will ever see at a baseball game, with fans treating routine singles like it is the seventh game of the World Series. 

As long as that is happening and their is money to be made, the tournament is going to continue as it has. 

The injury to Diaz stinks, but it was a complete fluke incident that could have happened at any time, in any game. Or even outside of a game (Diaz's injury wasn't even the result of a play, as it happened celebrating a win). It could have happened in spring training or in a workout. 

We have seen key players get injured in the most random ways so many times over the years that blaming the World Baseball Classic for it is just lazily picking at low-hanging fruit. It is a great tournament that millions of people are enjoying, including the players playing in it. 

Get used to it, because it is not stopping just because of one fluke injury.