Caracas Leones not left with a lot to think about this season
Josh Kroeger's injury in early July was a bad omen for Caracas. The MVP of last season injured his right knee in the U.S., while celebrating a victory for the New Orleans Zephyrs. That marked the beginning of an ordeal that ended Thursday in the worst way possible: with the elimination at the hands of its archrival, the Magallanes Navigators.
What led to the Lions elimination? How did a team that won 118 games in the last three years, and that was in each of the last three years a leader or co-leader in the standings end a season so poorly?
There are many answers, that the best is perhaps the one that was given by the team's president, Luis Avila, in the middle of the season, when he said that there could be a perfect storm. "It is too early to list all the factors behind the problem" said the executive via email. "But a failure can have a positive result. And the results are nothing more than that: a failure. "
Caracas started before this season, a rebuilding process for the team. Carlos Maldonado, Jose Castillo, Jackson Melian and Gustavo Chacin, four players who were instrumental in the conquest of the last three years (since 09-10), left the team. The responsibility was then in the hands of young people. And this is not a topic of conversation if not for the injuries caused to fall upon them a responsibility they had ever had.
The first step was forced by circumstances to use Ramon Cabrera as the starting catcher due to the late incorporation of Jose Lobaton and subsequent fracture of Jesus Sucre, who was to be the second catcher. The most important position was held by Ramon Cabrera, a prospect that, while a batting champion in the United States, has not played above Class A.
The injuries continued to undermine the team, and forced at times to overuse the bullpen. That crisis was combined with an unexpected shortage on offensive that forced the dismissal of hitting coach, Brian McCarn, and made the fans miss Castillo, Melian and Maldonado, although the trio had one of their worst seasons in the league.
"The offense was the determining factor in the results," manager Rick Sweet analyzed. "Because it's not easy being a pitcher when your margin for error is minimal." Sweet assumed the reins when the situation was untenable. Tim Teufel had to wade through all the vicissitudes that Avila talked about "a perfect storm". The players also were unhappy with the way Teufel ran the team.
The new strategist Sweet calmed the cave, but the offense never recovered. Part of the reason was the absence of a legitimate leadoff hitter because Jarrod Dyson's injury forced Teufel to experiment in that position, and Corey Wimberly, the option of management was not a hit. In addition, opponents took advantage of the absence of protection for Jesus Guzman who continually saw bad pitches to the point walks, hits, and total offense suffered.
The six-game winning streak in mid-December gave everyone hope that they did not have before, but that was not enough. This version of the Lions, was challenged on offensive, it was very vulnerable. Even minimal disadvantage looked huge.
No matter if you have the best bullpen in the league, a label that was imposed on the team before the season started with the presence of pieces from the likes of Franklin Morales, Henry Rodriguez and Edgmer Escalona. The major leaguers are not infallible. And with benefits so short due to a drought offensive, the possibility of losing was always high.
"We are disappointed," lamented Rick Sweet, that during his tenure he led the team to a 16-17 record. "Today we talked about it with Ives (Hernandez, general manager) and the other members of the organization. Mostly we talked about the future of the organization and what needs to be done to prevent this next year.
We have players to prevent this from happening again. " Rick Sweet spoke again and again about next season. Sweet held a meeting yesterday with the high command of the team to discuss what should be best for next season. "Because I think this team does not need a total reconstruction to be champion," said the manager. "With minimal changes we will be ready."
The manager said that after the conversation, all came to the conclusion that the team needs an experienced outfielder in the league, a receiver, also a veteran, to facilitate the transition process, because the team has several prospects at catcher, and definitely faster. "We have young players like Daniel Mayora, Carlos Rivero and Jesus Aguilar, but we needed more power production," reviewed the helmsman.
"Because Jesus Guzman finished the season well, but he is a born slugger. And that's one of our shortcomings. " Sweet reiterated his desire to come to Caracas to lead the team next season, but management has not yet made a decision. "He's a possibility, but will not confirm whether or not he will return immediately," said team president, Luis Avila.
"Failure can not have positive results. And the results are nothing more than that: a failure " AVILA LUIS DEL CARACAS PRESIDENT OF LIONS
