The historic manager of the Águilas Cibaeñas, Félix Fermín, believes that the existence of the so-called “play in” in the Dominican winter league, a model that began in the last tournament, is incorrect.
“It does not seem right to me that in a league of six teams qualify five, I think that should be eliminated because I see no logic,” says Fermín, in an interview for the section Actualidad Deportiva of Listín Diario, available on the digital platform of this newspaper .
The Eagles finished in fourth place in the regular series with a record of 20-20, and had to go to the “play in” against the 5th. position, Leones del Escogido (19-21).
“I do not think that should exist in this league, it should be as it has always been, that the first four places qualify and we go to the next phase,” said Fermín.
The Chosen One won the first game of that mini play off, and after losing the second he was eliminated. The system is so strange that in reality both teams were left with the same number of victories, 1-1, but one of them (the reds) was eliminated.
NEW ROSTER
The Eagles, on the other hand, will face some variants with a view to the round robin that begins next Monday the 27th.
They won’t have center fielder Leody Taveras, who was stopped by his MLB Texas Rangers team. Third baseman Yohan Camargo is injured, and it is not known when he could return, although he will remain with the team.
Nor will reliever pitcher Julián Fernández, sent to stop by the Colorado Rockies, be at the club.
Instead, the Eagles chose some substitutes in the “re-entry” draft held Wednesday afternoon at Lidom.
To take the place of Taveras they selected Jimmy Paredes, from the Escogido, who will be placed in the right field, with Juan Lagares moving to center field. The third base, vacated by Camargo, will be occupied by Christian Adames, chosen from the roster of the Toros del Este.
In pitching, the harriers selected pitchers Jhan Mariñez (Bulls), Pedro Strop (Chosen), Christopher Molina (Chosen) and José José, left-handed of the Toros.
“I believe that the baseball operations group chose well, I am satisfied, and that the round robin is going very well,” said Fermin, 58 years old. Fermín owns the records for the most crowns in Lidom with 6 and also in the Caribbean Series with 4.
In fact, he was champion last tournament when they beat the Gigantes del Cibao 7-3. They were down 1-3, but were able to win three games in a row.
He also said that he never thinks about retirement as a manager. “In the majors the old men are making a comeback, there is Tony La Russa, Dusty Baker, and now the Mets have signed Buck Showalter.
I think I’ll leave that to time, ”said the man from Maeño, who began managing the Eagles in 2000-01, when he won his first championship title.
After 9 years at the helm of the team, he left there in 2008, spent two seasons directing the Gigantes del Cibao, took a hiatus, then briefly directed the Toros del Este, and on two subsequent occasions he has returned to the Eagles.
“This is a forever relationship, and I am very happy with my career,” said the harrier foreman.
His two sons, Junior and Andy, work on the Aguilas coaching staff. Do you think Junior could be the manager of the Eagles in the short term? Fermín was asked.
“I think so, and it could also be TJ Peña, who is my assistant as the bench coach. They are both ready for the job, “he said. Peña is a former shortstop and pitcher, the son of the immortal Tony Peña.
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