Why aren't there any MLB players on the USA baseball team?

Question

Is it the timing of the Olympics? or the MLB not interesting in playing in the Olympics. Will MLB players be allowed to play in the Olympics in the future? When the soccer World cup is on the MLS leave their clubs to play for team USA why can't baseball do the same?

Answer 1

Dude. Its the middle of the MLB season. They aren't restricted from playing.  

Answer 2

Unlike the Winter Olympics, when the NHL shuts down for a month so its All Stars can compete on their various national teams, in the Summer, MLB will not shut down just before the pennant race -- and risk injuries -- for the Olympics which are just vanity games.

Answer 3

MLB players are on steroids.

Answer 4

It is all about greed, the MLB doesn't want to lose any money near the end of the season. Even if it were only once every four years. Baseball has been removed from the Summer Games for 2012 and "might" be back for 2016... Supposedly the MLB and IOC are working together to come up with a plan to allow our juiced upped sluggers to play. Of course, this is probably just an attempt by the MLB to avoid taking heat for ruining baseball in the Olympics. As the best players from all over the world come here to play, none of them are allowed to play in the Olympics for Team USA or whatever country they come from. So, MLB has done a fantastic job of sucking the talent out of the Olympics. Instead of the best in the world competing, you get a bunch of minor league players, playing against each other. And in turn, nobody is interested in watching minor league ball, even at the Olympics. Personally I hate how greed corrupts everything in our society.

Answer 5

Its during the season and they are paid millions to play here.  Owners would be very upset if their star players got injured they miss the playoffs because of it.  Players also have restrictions in their contracts about getting hurt while not playing for their team so they would lose money as well.  

Answer 6

All the MLB players are currently playing in the MLB.  That's what their contracts tell them to play.  That's their job.

NBA players wouldn't be playing in the Olympics if the Olympics were during basketball season.

Answer 7

Because they are playing Major League Baseball right now, they are not off they have to play here because they are under contract. I prefer for people other than major league players play for their countries, I don't like that we have a "Dream Team" of basketball players. But that's just how I feel about it.  

Answer 8

There's a USA baseball team?

Answer 9

It's baseball season.

Answer 10

i wasn't aware that there was a usa baseball team. i knew there was softball but baseball??

Answer 11

Probably the timing of the Olympics as well as major league baseball players don't care about winning the Olympics the World Series would be a more coveted championship.  Plus your asking them to walk away from huge contracts.