Perez resigns as Puerto Rico GM

The announcement comes two days after the president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, José Quiles, expressed himself in a derogatory and threatening tone about a sector of the island’s press on a radio program.

“Unfortunately, in this process during the past months, differences have arisen with the president of the FBPR, Dr. José Quiles, in very important matters regarding the making of the team,” Pérez said in a statement through social networks.

“Taking into account that the tournament is six months away, and that the manager and other members of the coaching staff have not yet been announced, I have decided to submit my resignation as general manager of the National Team,” he added.

The dispute between the head of the FBPR and a sector of the press in Puerto Rico, occurred after the newspaper El Nuevo Dia reported that there were differences between Perez and the federation. The reason, according to the newspaper, was that the president preferred the stellar catcher of the St. Louis Cardinals, Yadier Molina, as the next manager of Rubio’s team. Perez’s bet, meanwhile, was on another figure.

This led Quiles, during the recent weekend, to make the following statements on Puerto Rican radio: “When I open the newspaper El Nuevo Día, the first thing I see are the obituaries. Maybe at some point I will see theirs,” said the head of the FBPR, in clear reference to the sports section of the newspaper.

The federation will announce Puerto Rico’s next coach on Thursday, September 15 at a press conference.

Molina, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, is playing his last season as a professional in the MLB and will later coach the Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan winter league.

Josué Espada, Charlie Montoyo and Juan ‘Igor’ González are other names that have been strongly rumored to manage Team Rubio or be part of the coaching staff.

Puerto Rico, which lost in the 2017 final to the United States, belongs to Group D along with Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Israel and a team to be determined. The venue will be Miami.

Figures such as Carlos Correa, Javier Baez, Francisco Lindor and Edwin Diaz have already committed to return to play with Team Rubio.

The fifth edition of the WBC will be held from March 9-21, 2023 in four different venues. In addition to Miami, there will also be Tokyo, Taiwan and Phoenix.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be played at the Tokyo Dome and loanDepot Park.

The semifinals and final will also be played at the loanDepot Park from March 19 to 21.