The Spanish Division de Honor club BASEBALL NAVARRA faces a difficult year 2009. None less than six players are leaving the team, the return of two others is uncertain. Second baseman Javier Zabalza (.250/.365/.317), catchers Gorka Andueza (.205/.262/.244) and Raul Aristu (.324/.444/.351), first baseman Oscar Chocarro (.193/.299/.193), utility man Juan Latienda (.333/.423/.333) and starting pitcher German Arroyo (5-5, ERA 2.81, 64 IP, 65 SO, 20 BB) all said farewell already.
Juan Jose Lopez (.397/.500/.706, ERA 2.71, 69.2 IP, 62 SO, 23 BB) and Hector Perozo (.274/.432/.521) also aren’t confirmed yet for the 2009 season. Southpaw Lopez not only stabilized the bullpen, but was an important piece of the offense too, as he led the club with 24 runs scored. Perozo was the RBI leader with 23. Both also combined to hit nine of the twelve homeruns by NAVARRA.
If they can’t replace these players for the upcoming season, they hardly will repeat their performance from 2008. The new club, who was founded due to the fusion of three teams last winter, surprised with a 15-17 record and a sixth place finish.
