It has already been confirmed that the II Americas Series of baseball will be played from February 5-13 in Venezuela, but Cuba has not yet announced its team, and the dilemma that gives the title to this comment remains.

At first, it was going to be a team with a mix of veterans and young players who were outstanding in our domestic tournaments, as it coincided with the National Series in time, but when the date shifted, there were two alternatives left.

One of them, apparently ruled out, is that Ciego de Ávila team, champion of the last Elite League, would attend, whose inclusion in the Caribbean Series was frustrated after the transfer of the headquarters to Mexico.

Let’s remember that Las Tunas attended the First Series of the Americas in their capacity as Cuban champions, and there they advanced to the semifinals, despite being out of shape because the date coincided with the start of their training after several months of inactivity.

There’s no longer talk about the players from Ciego de Avila, but rather about the players preselected for the World Classic who began their training at the Latin American stadium in Havana.

Therefore, everything suggests that if, ultimately, the event is attended on Venezuelan soil, which had not been officially confirmed either, it would be with a good part of those considered eligible for the Classic.

It would be a good opportunity for the coaching staff headed by Germán Mesa to evaluate local talent ahead of the main event in world baseball, which will take place from March 5-16, and with Cuba enrolled in group A, to be played in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Obviously, some pieces would be missing, those directly or indirectly linked to the Major Leagues due to contract issues, who would join the squad only for the final stretch, consisting of some preparation games in late February or early March.

Here there will be unclear things until the last minute, both due to personal decisions and contractual clauses of some players, but the bulk of the roster could be seen in the Americas Series, in a squad where only the players involved in the final of the 64th National Series should be missing, or perhaps also those of the other two semifinalist teams, depending on the deadline for the handing of the rosters, and if there are no more delays in the schedule of our tournament.

Therefore, the selection for the Venezuelan tournament will take a little longer to be announced, but everything seems to indicate that it will be taken as a rehearsal for the Classic.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff