The focus of the new general manager Luis Rojas and his Operations department in the off-season is very clear: “Open mind to continue improving the team.”
This was expressed by the scarlet executive from New York to the official media of the Lions of the Chosen, a team that since April has acquired 10 players through three exchanges and three free agent signings.
“To the fans that stay on the lookout for many new things. We are working hard. We have a great responsibility to do the best job for the entire organization and build a great team,” she said.
Part of his movements were the five players acquired on July 9 from the Cibao Giants, among which Jordany Valdespin, Eloy Jiménez and Otto López stand out.
“We feel very comfortable with what we receive. Hernández (Elier), López and Berroa (Steward) will be very helpful. With Valdespin there is familiarity and he is very excited, even playing defense in the Atlantic League. I also spoke with Eloy and he is very happy to be from the Chosen One”, he commented.
The question immediately arose as to whether Jiménez would play with the Leones in the 2022-23 season, to which Rojas replied: “He gave me his word of participation, but sometimes that type of question is difficult in July, many things can happen. He is on a contender team and is a very valuable piece for the Chicago White Sox.”
“We are waiting for the tournament to get closer to know with more certainty if he is going to participate, but when we spoke he told me that he is interested in playing with the Lions,” he continued.
The same question was asked about the availability of catcher Pedro Severino, acquired last June 1st from Tigres del Licey.
“Pedro is interested in participating. We do not know if from the beginning. We are waiting for the last month of the Major Leagues to knock on his door again and find out when he would play, but he did tell us that he is going to play, ”he explained.
And what will happen to Wilkin Castillo, the veteran escogidista captain?
“Wilkin is not going to be a catcher next year. Right now he is a bullpen catcher in the Major Leagues with the Oakland Athletics, but he will be on our coaching staff and will be a very valuable piece, ”replied the New York Yankees third base coach.
Another of the players acquired by the Lions is right-hander Domingo Tapia, whom Rojas hopes will have an impact in the scarlet bullpen.
“This year he has pitched in the Major Leagues and in AAA and continues to show a sinker of power, now with more maturity. He has told me that he is available to pitch and we hope it will be from the start”.
Rojas also added that he has full confidence that the Puerto Rican leader Pedro López will lead the Chosen One down the path of success.
“I know Pedro quite well. He has a lot of experience at the upper levels of the Minor Leagues and in the Caribbean. The combination of his experience and at the same time the familiarity that we have gives me the confidence to work with him. I know he is going to help us a lot,” he concluded.