People in Sports: Santana excited for World Baseball Classic

CARACAS, Venezuela — Former Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana envisions big things for his country at next year's World Baseball Classic.

"I'll be there. Venezuela has a great opportunity because of the quality of its baseball players at the moment," the Minnesota Twins left-hander told the state-run Bolivarian News Agency.

New York Yankees coach Luis Sojo has been chosen to manage the Venezuelan team, which is considered among the top teams for the tournament in March.

The lineup will be bolstered by Miguel Cabrera of the Florida Marlins and Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Associated Press