Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal on March 7, 2020 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is the home of LIDOM’s Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
By Julian Guilarte
World Baseball Network
Ramirez Headed to Leones – Cleveland Guardians star third baseman Jose Ramirez is preparing to play for Leones del Escogido in Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana. Leones del Escogido announced the news on November 17. Jose Ramirez was traded from the Toros del Este for Blue Jays first baseman Vlad Guerreo Jr. on September 24 to Leones del Escogido. Guerrero Jr. hasn’t suited up for Toros del Este this winter.
Jose Ramirez is a four-time all-star and has won four silver slugger awards with the Cleveland Guardians. Ramirez has played with the Guardians for 11 years and has hit 216 MLB home runs. Ramirez has also stolen 202 bases, with 746 RBI, and an OPS of .854. Ramirez will arguably be the best player to suit up in LIDOM this winter. This is a huge move for Leones del Escogido because Ramirez will play without limitations once he’s activated. In 2023, Ramirez hit 24 home runs, with 80 RBI, 28 stolen bases, and an OPS of .831. Ramirez made the World Series with the Guardians in 2016, but lost to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.
Ramirez played in LIDOM, four years with Toros del Este from 2012-2015. Ramirez hit 3 home runs with 49 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and an OPS of .719 in 425 at bats.
Aguilas Add Former Padre Lamet – Major League Baseball free agent Dinelson Lamet made his debut for Aguilas Cibaenas against Tigres del Licey on November 15. He pitched three innings, allowing one run, and striking out three batters. This was the first appearance in LIDOM for the Dominican Lamet. Lamet has pitched in MLB for six seasons from 2017-2023. He missed 2018 due to the injury.
Lamet made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres and started 21 games in his rookie season. Lamet struck out 139 batters, in 114 innings, with an ERA of 4.57. Lamet spent parts of two seasons with the Colorado Rockies from 2022-2023. Lamet ended his 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox. Lamet has pitched 363 MLB innings, striking out 471 batters, with an ERA of 4.08.
Profar, Cueto Joining Estrellas Orientales – MLB free agent outfielder Jurickson Profar signed with Estrellas Orientales on November 14. Profar spent last season with the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres and hit nine home runs with 46 RBI and an OPS of .689 in 125 MLB games last season. Profar has played in MLB for 10 seasons and made his debut with the Texas Rangers in 2012. He missed two seasons with a shoulder injury.
Profar has 87 MLB home runs, 359 RBI, 47 stolen bases, and an OPS of .706. He has played two winters in LIDOM with the Tigres del Licey in 2012 and 2013. Profar has played in three WBC’s with the Netherlands in 2013, 2017 and 2023. Profar is still yet to make his debut for Estrellas Orientales.
Estrellas Orientales also signed 16-year MLB veteran pitcher Johnny Cueto on November 14. He is now an MLB free agent and last pitched for the Miami Marlins in 2023. Cueto is a two-time all-star and won the World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2015 and made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008. He spent the majority of his career in Cincinnati, pitching eight seasons there. Cueto has pitched 2,245 MLB innings, with 1,851 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.50. Cueto also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 WBC.
Cueto is expected to make his Estrellas Orientales debut in December, per Franmer Deportes. Cueto previously pitched three winters in LIDOM for the Aguilas Cibaenas from 2006-08.
On November 17, Estrellas Orientales will play Aguilas Cibaeñas at 6:30 p.m EST and Licey de Tigres will play Toros del Este at 6:30 p.m EST. Gigantes del Cibao and Leones del Escogido will have the night off.
LIDOM Standings
1. Gigantes del Cibao – 15-7
2. Estrellas Orientales – 13-10
3. Tigres del Licey – 11-10
4. Toros del Este – 11-11
5. Leones del Escogido – 10-14
6. Aguilas Cibaenas – 6-14