Three years ago, the Caribbean Series returned to Venezuela.
The then-brand new Estadio Monumental Simon Bolivar and Estadio Forum La Guaira hosted the first eight-team tournament in the history of the Caribbean Series, and the Leones del Caracas, the team that has made Estadio Monumental its home, well, got an extra homestand.
Surely, manager Jose Alguacil and the Leones want to be playing for winter ball’s ultimate prize on their home turf in January and February, but if anything is predictable about winter ball, it’s the unpredictability of winter ball. Schedules get delayed. Rosters turn over frequently. Managers get fired. New managers get hired. Major Leaguers return home to make a cameo appearance. They might hit a massive home run, pimp the dinger the way a dinger has never been pimped before, and then announce their retirement from winter ball, only to channel Brett Favre and unretire for the next season.
But five different teams have won a title in the LVBP in the last six years, with the Cardenales de Lara’s two most recent titles bookending that span, so if the team you’ve decided to adopt in the LVBP doesn’t win this year, don’t worry about it too much. After all, the longest title drought in the league is only 10 years old.
Maybe this is the year for the Tigres de Aragua, who have handed the reins to Ozzie Guillen, the first Latino manager to win both a World Series and a Caribbean Series. It would be a heck of a way to honor the memory of Buddy Bailey, the legendary Tigres manager who passed away this summer. He was the winningest manager in LVBP history and led the Tigres to a Caribbean Series title in 2009.
“Possibly that has been the greatest achievement I have obtained,” Bailey said of winning the 2009 Caribbean Series in Mexicali to the LVBP’s website. “We had a group of players that many didn’t bet on. We were definitely not the favorites, but it was shown that teamwork always ends up prevailing and it was something important for me because beyond representing the state of Aragua, we were defending the colors of Venezuela.”
In addition to Guillen, the Tigres are likely to have future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera in the lineup as he makes a final trip around the LVBP. At age 42, he’s not going to play every day, but you can reasonably expect him to be able to be dangerous at the plate and contribute in a league where the pitching isn’t as strong as in Major League Baseball.
Where to Watch – Venezuela’s LVBP streams its games live on BeisbolPlay, which charges a fee. Currently, a season subscription for 2025-26 is US$22.99.
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Cardenales de Lara
Stadium – Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutierrez, Barquisimeto
Manager – Cesar Izturis (First Season)
Notable Players – Rangel Ravelo, IF; Adrian Almeida, SP; Rafael Ortega, OF, Everson Pereira, OF.
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Enyerbert Pérez (INF, Class A, Arizona Diamondbacks), 2. Kevin Velasco (RHP, Rookie, Baltimore Orioles), 3. Wuilberth Méndez (RHP, Class A, Detroit Tigers), 4. Adrian Delgado (RHP, Class A, Baltimore Orioles), 5. Santiago Peraza (RHP, Rookie, Cleveland Guardians), 6. Raynerd Ortega (INF, Rookie, Los Angeles Dodgers), 7. Yosweld Vásquez (C, Rookie, Houston Astros), 8. Jesús Colina (RHP, Rookie, Cincinnati Reds), 9. Yohander Linarez (INF, Class A, Boston Red Sox).
Last Year – 33-23 Regular Season (first place), 11-5 Round Robin (first place), Won Championship Series 4-2 over Bravos de Margarita
Outlook – Rafael Ortega and Everson Pereira bring a lot of talent to the Cardenales, who pecked their way to a championship under Henry Blanco last season. Ortega debuted in the LVBP at age 17, but hasn’t played in Venezuela since 2021. He’ll now try to recover his form in winter ball after a season in the Mets’ organization marred by injuries. Pereira appeared in 23 games with Tampa Bay during the summer and will be making his LVBP debut, likely hoping to develop a bit at the plate over the winter in hopes of landing a full-time MLB job at spring training.
Bravos de Margarita
Stadium – Stadium Nueva Esparta, Margarita
Manager – Henry Blanco (First Season, 33-23 Career)
Notable Players – Roel Santos, OF; Juan Santana, IF; Henry Rodriguez, OF; Alexi Amarista, OF.
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Darwin Rodriguez (LHP, Class-A, Kansas City Royals), 2. Wilder Dalis (INF, Class-A, Colorado Rockies), 3. Manuel Palencia (C, Double-A, New York Yankees), 4. Avinson Pinto (INF, Rookie, Boston Red Sox), 5. Francisco Espinoza (C, Rookie, Los Angeles Dodgers), 6. Argenis Aparicio (OF, Rookie, Milwaukee Brewers), 7. Eliesbert Alejos (INF, Rookie, Arizona Diamondbacks), 8. Luis Maracará (RHP, Rookie, San Diego Padres), 9. Moisés Bolívar (INF, Rookie, Los Angeles Dodgers).
Last Year – 31-25 Regular Season (second place), 11-5 (second place), Lost Championship Series 4-2 to Cardenales de Lara
Outlook – Blanco took a good team in Lara last year all the way to the Caribbean Series, so it’ll be interesting to see how he does in Margarita this year. Roel Santos joins Margarita after spending the last four winters in Mexico, but he’s a career .300 hitter and has had some truly exceptional seasons. Santana batted .358 and scored 31 runs for Margarita last year, and Amarista continues to produce offensively. Expect the Bravos to make the Round Robin, and don’t be surprised if they’re the last ones standing at the Caribbean Series.
Aguilas del Zulia
Stadium – Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande, Maracaibo
Manager – Lipso Nava (Sixth Season, Career Record Unavailable)
Notable Players – Jaison Chourio, OF; Jose Pirela, OF; Silvino Bracho, P; Yonathan Perlaza, OF
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Pablo Núñez (OF, Rookie, Cincinnati Reds), 2. Moisés Palma (RHP, Rookie, Tampa Bay Rays), 3. Yasmil Bucce (C, High-A, Baltimore Orioles), 4. Denison Sánchez (RHP, Rookie, Boston Red Sox), 5. Francisco Loreto (C, Rookie, Philadelphia Phillies), 6. Jesús Escobar (RHP, Rookie, Arizona Diamondbacks), 7. Jesús Oliveira (RHP, Rookie, Kansas City Royals), 7. Jesús Castillo (INF, High-A, Pittsburgh Pirates), 8. Liosward Marín (C, Rookie, Boston Red Sox), 9. César Franco (OF, High-A, Athletics).
Last Year – 30-26 Regular Season (third place), 7-9 Round Robin (third place)
Outlook – Chourio, the younger brother of Milwaukee Brewers star Jackson Chourio, is the No. 5 prospect in the Cleveland Guardians organization according to MLB Pipeline and will be a player to watch for however long he is with Zulia this winter. Though he hasn’t played above High-A yet, a whole season in Venezuela could speed his development into an every-day Major Leaguer. He’s appeared in 24 games for the Aguilas over the last two seasons, and went 3-for-11 in 13 games last winter.
Navegantes de Magallanes
Stadium – Estadio Jose Bernardo Perez, Valencia
Manager – Eddie Perez (Second Season, 59-61 Career)
Notable Players – Anthony Vizcaya, RP; Yasiel Puig, OF; Renato Nunez, IF/DH
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Darrel Lunar (RHP, Rookie, Washington Nationals), 2. Javier Bartolozzi (RHP, Rookie, Los Angeles Dodgers), 3. Carlos Renzullo (OF, Rookie, Colorado Rockies), 4. Alberth Palma (INF, Rookie, Tampa Bay Rays), 5. Josdanner Suárez (RHP, Rookie, Arizona Diamondbacks), 6. Renil Ramos (RHP, Rookie, Cleveland Guardians), 7. Ricardo Páez (OF, Rookie, Minnesota Twins), 8. Bryan Andrade (INF, Rookie, Athletics), 9. Ilan Fernández (INF, Rookie, Boston Red Sox), 10. Juan Ortega (C, Rookie, Baltimore Orioles).
Last Year – 29-27 Regular Season (fourth place), 6-10 Round Robin (fourth place)
Outlook – Vizcaya and Puig are big additions to a team that was decidedly average last year. Though Puig is getting older and has been dogged by injuries, when he’s on his game, as he was with La Guaira two winters ago, he’s as good as any player in winter ball. Whether he’s recovered from the rotator cuff injury he suffered in South Korea in April and how much stress his pending criminal trial in California put on him will likely dictate how his season goes. Vizcaya remains a solid one-inning reliever and will be a big addition to the Magallanes bullpen.
Tigres de Aragua
Stadium – Estadio Jose Perez Colmenares, Maracay
Manager – Ozzie Guillen (First Season, 60-59 Career)
Notable Players – Ronnie Williams, SP; Miguel Cabrera, IF/DH; Jose Peraza, IF.
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Juneiker Cáceres (OF, Class-A, Cleveland Guardians), 2. Zuher Yousuf (LHP, Class-A, Philadelphia Phillies), 3. Fabián Ysalla (RHP, Class-A, Chicago White Sox), 4. José Tovar (C, Rookie, Tampa Bay Rays), 5. Jesús Freitez (C, Class-A, Colorado Rockies), 6. Manuel Osorio (LHP, Rookie, Cleveland Guardians), 7. Sandro Pereira (INF, Rookie, Houston Astros), 8. Anthuan Valencia (INF, Class-A, Cincinnati Reds), 9. David Guzmán (OF, Rookie, Toronto Blue Jays).
Last Year – 27-29 Regular Season (fifth place), 5-11 Round Robin (fifth place)
Outlook – Ronnie Williams is a big addition to the starting rotation in Aragua, and while his season didn’t start well with the Leones del Caracas last year, he did finish the winter at the Caribbean Series with the LBPRC’s Indios de Mayaguez. But really, the big story for the Tigres this year is Miguel Cabrera, the first-ballot Hall of Famer who grew up in Maracay and will take another spin around the LVBP with his hometown Tigres. Sure, he’s 42 now, but with a year of rest, Cabrera will likely make more than just a cameo appearance. General manager Juan Sanchez said the organization is working with him on a schedule for when and how much he’ll play. Expect him to contribute as the Tigres look to honor the memory of Buddy Bailey with an LVBP title.
Tiburones de La Guaira
Stadium – Estadio Forum La Guaira, Macuto
Manager – Gregorio Petit (First Season)
Notable Players – Luis Guillorme, IF; Yangervis Solarte, IF; Franklin Barreto, OF; Juniel Querecuto, IF.
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Kendry Chourio (RHP, Class-A, Kansas City Royals), 2. Irwin Ramírez (RHP, Rookie, Pittsburgh Pirates), 3. Victor Zárraga (LHP, Class-A, Chicago Cubs), 4. Jesús Superlano (INF, Class-A, Athletics), 5. Reiner Herrera (C, Rookie, Cleveland Guardians), 6. Omar Urbina (C, Rookie, Baltimore Orioles), 7. Jefferson Valladares (C, Class-A, Minnesota Twins).
Last Year – 26-30 Regular Season (tied for sixth place), lost tiebreaker game 9-8 to Leones del Caracas
Outlook – Last year was a letdown after the Tiburones won the 2024 Caribbean Series in Miami, their first title at the big event since 1986. Adding Guillorme shores up the infield, and if Solarte comes back, the Tiburones could have the top infield in Venezuela.
Leones del Caracas
Stadium – Estadio Monumental Simon Bolivar, Caracas
Manager – Jose Alguacil (Fifth Season, 121-96 Career)
Notable Players – Aldrem Corredor, 1B/OF; Oswaldo Arcia, OF; Yonathan Daza, IF
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Kelvis Salcedo (RHP, Class-A, Detroit Tigers), 2. Jesús Pinto (OF, Class-A, Detroit Tigers), 3. Jorger Petri (LHP, Class-A, Detroit Tigers), 4. Xiomer Guacache (RHP, Rookie, Detroit Tigers), 5. Newremberg Rondón (C, Rookie, Detroit Tigers), 6. Jorge Rodríguez (C, Rookie, Boston Red Sox), 7. Andrew Bolívar (RHP, Rookie, St. Louis Cardinals), 8. Jorge Julio (OF, Rookie, Philadelphia Phillies), 9. Jeckferxon Hernández (RHP, Class-A, Miami Marlins), 10. Juan Sulbarán (C, Double-A, Rangers).
Last Year – 26-30 Regular Season (tied for sixth place), lost play-in game 10-2 to Tigres de Aragua
Outlook – The Leones del Caracas are one of the great franchises in winter ball, and even when they have an off year, as they did in 2024-25, they’re always competitive. Aldrem Corredor is a big addition who can produce at a high level with the bat. This is a team that will undoubtedly bring in some reinforcements as the season goes on and they shake out what needs they have.
Caribes de Anzoategui
Stadium – Estadio Alfonso ‘Chico’ Carrasquel, Puerto La Cruz
Manager – Asdrubal Cabrera (First Season)
Notable Players – Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B; Herlis Rodriguez, OF; Jose Fernandez, IF; Romer Cuadrado, IF.
2025-26 LVBP Draft Picks – 1. Leonel Mendoza (LHP, Samanes de Aragua, LMBP), 2. Enddy Azócar (OF, Class-A, Boston Red Sox), 3. Lewis Sifontes (LHP, Class-A, Athletics), 4. Moisés Morales (RHP, Rookie, Texas Rangers), 5. Jermayne Verdú (RHP, Rookie, New York Mets), 6. Wuillians Herrera (RHP, Rookie, Los Angeles Dodgers), 7. Pedro Castellano (INF, Guerreros de Oaxaca, Mexico), 8. Carlos Franco (C, Double-A, Athletics), 9. Yaferson López (LD, Czech Republic).
Last Year – 22-34 Regular Season (eighth place)
Outlook – Much like the Major League Baseball Draft, the LVBP’s draft often takes years to pay dividends. And while Leonel Mendoza like won’t be pitching in Puerto La Cruz this winter, he might be a few years down the road. The key for the Caribes will be rebuilding using whatever spare parts they can find. The good thing about winter ball is that there is talent out there to be signed that can immediately impact a team’s lineup. There’s some solid offense there in Fuenmayor, Rodriguez, and Cuadrado, but is there any pitching? That’s what will get Anzoategui out of the cellar. With a team ERA of 5.94 last year, they can’t do much worse.
Photo: Venezuela’s manager Ozzie Guillen, center, speaks with Venezuela’s Yasiel Puig, left, during the fourth inning of the Caribbean Series finals baseball game against the Dominican Republic, in Miami, Fla., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Puig is returning to the LVBP with the Navegantes de Magallanes, while Guillen is returning as well, this time managing the Tigres de Aragua. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
