A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 321

Chapter 76: Do You Even Eat? (5)

It was,

a sudden move.

“Please have the Future Strategy Planning Department take charge of Julio Arcos.”

When summoned to the president’s office, Chief Director Brian Spann said that.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we can afford to give you much time. About a week? Depending on the situation, it could be even shorter.”

Chief Director Brian Spann continued, looking at the season schedule on the wall.

“Instead, I won’t even ask you to completely restore Julio Arcos’ condition.”

Please make a judgment.

The Chief Director’s gaze turned to Jisub.

“Is Julio Arcos someone we can trust? Is he a resource that can fill the void left by Paul Torres? I expect the Future Strategy Planning Department to provide a clear answer to this question.”

The Future Strategy Planning Department’s answer would have a significant impact on the team’s future management policy, he said.

It would be considered an important reference point not only in regular meetings but also in discussions with owner Jeffrey Taylor.

The Future Strategy Planning Department, which had been treated like a useless tool just a few months ago.

It was certainly welcome that their opinions were now being treated with importance, but Jisub felt a slight sense of unease at this point.

“Mr. President, may I ask you one question?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Is it just my feeling? I get the impression that you’re in a bit of a hurry, unlike usual.”

Jisub continued cautiously.

“Julio Arcos was only called up two days ago, wasn’t he? Two days isn’t even enough time to grasp the team’s atmosphere, but you’re already starting to evaluate him…….”

This might have been an issue that could be easily overlooked in Korean professional baseball.

Because there were no particular restrictions on calling players up to the first team and sending them down to the second team there.

But the United States is different. Once a player is called up to the major leagues, they have certain rights, and the team has to bear considerable losses to send them back to the minors.

Especially if it’s a player with some experience like Julio Arcos, the team might have to release him as a free agent in the worst-case scenario.

“The Tampa Bay Rays are a small market team, so we need to carefully consider the value of each player……. Isn’t that what you always say, Mr. President? But why only when it comes to Julio Arcos…….”

“To be honest, it’s because I thought the verification of him was over.”

Chief Director Brian Spann gave an answer without any sign of hesitation.

“After watching Julio Arcos for the past two years, I’ve already come to a conclusion. He’s a player who can’t be utilized in the major leagues, and I don’t think his outstanding qualities will translate into performance.”

It was a soft voice as always, but the content contained within was frighteningly cold.

“The problem is the field staff. The coaches are so full of affection, so that’s understandable, but even Manager Mike Clemblas can’t let go of his attachment to Julio.”

The Chief Director could push things through with his authority, but that could damage the solid cooperative system between the field and the front office.

Therefore, Brian Spann seemed to have decided to entrust the judgment to people who are trusted by both sides.

“At this point, you are the front office that the coaching staff, including Manager Clemblas, trusts the most. If you come to a conclusion, there won’t be much opposition from the field.”

Brian Spann continued.

“But I hope you don’t approach this simply as mediating the conflict between the field and the front office……. This could be a crucial turning point that determines the fall season for our Tampa Bay Rays.”

“A crucial turning point…….”

“I think you all know it well. I’m talking about the trade deadline.”

Chief Director Brian Spann pointed to the mountain of documents piled on his desk.

“This is data analyzing trade proposals from other teams. Even though I’ve sorted out only the new proposals that came in this week, it’s piled up to that extent.”

It seemed that considerable discussions were already underway among the team’s staff, although they hadn’t yet surfaced.

“There were proposals that were just lightly testing the waters, and there were proposals that had reached the stage of seriously matching cards…… but since Paul Torres’ injury, most of the discussions have been suspended.”

Jisub could easily guess the reason.

“Are they demanding more in return? The other teams, I mean.”

“That’s right. They all know we’re in a desperate situation.”

Teams that had been asking for one or two promising prospects suddenly demanded an immediate-impact pitcher.

Teams that said they could trade for a 7th or 8th round draft pick suddenly demanded a 3rd or 4th round pick.

“Initially, the plan for this trade was to acquire a ‘joker’ [a player who can unexpectedly turn the game in their favor] in preparation for the postseason…… but looking at the way things are going, it seems we’ll have to put all our efforts into filling the void left by Paul Torres.”

Chief Director Brian sighed briefly.

“But if Julio Arcos secures a spot in the core lineup, we might be able to proceed with our original plan as is.”

So, that’s why the expression ‘crucial turning point’ came up.

Will we set our goal at just filling the void left by Paul Torres and advancing to the postseason as usual?

Or will we challenge for the World Series title this time by acquiring a truly top player?

“If I were to say that all of that depends on the performance of the Future Strategy Planning Department…….”

Smirk.

A subtle smile appeared on Chief Director Brian Spann’s lips.

“Would that be too much pressure for you all?”

* * *

About 10 minutes later.

Jisub was leaving the Chief Director’s office and heading to the Future Strategy Planning Department’s office.

Tak!

Tak!

Taaaaak!

The sound of batting practice coming from somewhere.

It seemed that the Tampa Bay players’ pre-game batting practice had begun.

As he moved along, listening to the rhythmic sound, a thought flashed through Jisub’s mind.

‘Ah, that’s right. The office.’

I didn’t tell the president to move the office.

From the moldy basement to a place with plenty of sunlight.

Jisub was belatedly recalling John Llama’s ‘cherished project’.

‘I was supposed to mention it next time I got a mission from the president…… Damn, I completely forgot?’

Naturally, Jisub’s gaze turned to the owner’s son, who was walking ahead.

Based on past experience, John Llama would burst out with ‘Ah, that’s right!’ in the next minute or two.

And then he would go on about how he forgot about the office, and whether we’d be able to move the office this year.

Sure enough.

“Ah, that’s right!!!”

John Llama Taylor turned around, snapping his fingers.

So far, it was as Jisub had expected, but the story that came out of his mouth was a bit unexpected.

“It might be a good idea to ask Mr. Harrison for help!”

“Mr. Harrison?”

David Wilson tilted his head, and John Llama replied quickly.

“Yes, he’s someone I met while getting rid of alligators before…… He has a lot of connections in Mexico! Julio is from Mexico, so I thought he might be able to get some helpful information.”

He turned his eyes to Jisub.

“You remember Kim, right? You know, the person we met when we first met and went around selling season tickets.”

“Ah, that person?”

Jisub also had a vague memory of him.

The grandfather who didn’t want to buy season tickets anymore because all his grandchildren had returned to New York.

I certainly heard that he was a well-connected person, but at this time, Jisub was focusing on another point.

“Kim, what’s wrong?”

John Llama tilted his head.

“Ah, I guess ‘Mexican connections’ is too vague? Mexico isn’t a small country either?”

“No, it’s not that…….”

Jisub smiled.

“I was just wondering why the story about the office didn’t come up today.”

“The office? Ah, our office?!”

What do you take me for?

It was at this moment that John Llama looked at Jisub with a resentful expression.

“Hey, Kim! Did you forget what the Chief Director said? He said that the direction of this season depends on the performance of our Future Strategy Planning Department!”

John Llama’s expression was quite serious.

“I don’t know about other things, but I know one thing for sure. Baseball teams are all about results. No matter how good the process was, if the result is a mess, you won’t hear good things.”

“Hmm.”

“How much have Kim and David suffered so far? If we make a mistake, all of that could be in vain…… So even I have to focus! Is the office a big deal right now?”

John Llama’s appearance, clenching both fists and showing enthusiasm.

Jisub felt quite unfamiliar with that side of him, but on the other hand, he also felt a sense of satisfaction.

‘He was a truly hopeless guy at first……. Has he changed a lot without me knowing? John Llama of all people.’

Is he gradually taking on the appearance of a member of the team owner’s family?

At least, has he become able to distinguish what is important?

While Jisub was looking at John Llama with a strange expression, David Wilson also chimed in.

“I definitely felt that this case was a bit different from the past. The Chief Director’s expression too.”

David, always serious.

He frowned slightly and continued.

“Kim, I think we need to use every method we can.”

“Hmm.”

“First of all, it would be good to hear more specific stories from the manager and coaches. If possible, meet with the Durham Bulls officials as well [the Tampa Bay Rays’ Triple-A affiliate]. Ah, of course…….”

David Wilson also seemed a little satisfied with John Llama’s current attitude.

“It wouldn’t be bad to use Mexican connections to find out if Julio Arcos has any personal circumstances.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

If the general direction has been decided, it was Jisub’s job to give specific instructions.

“I’ll take care of the manager and coaches. David, please take care of the Triple-A people, and Llama, contact Mr. Harrison.”

“Understood.”

“Leave it to me!”

David Wilson and John Llama answered in loud voices.

Jisub, who nodded lightly, looked at the players visible through the window in the distance.

“……Aha.”

The person in question, Julio Arcos, was visible.

While his fellow players were diligently doing batting practice, the Mexican slugger was sitting on a gym ball by himself, laughing heartily.

Jisub had dealt with many players, but he also thought that it wouldn’t be easy to deal with such a carefree guy.

‘Yeah, David might be right.’

Let’s mobilize all possible resources.

If it’s a really important matter, let’s tackle it by utilizing all the resources we can.

Jisub, who was staring blankly out the window, suddenly remembered something and turned his head.

“Mexico……. Where was it?”

“Yes?”

“Julio Arcos’ hometown, I mean.”

“Just a moment. I’ll be able to find it quickly.”

David Wilson, taking out his tablet PC and starting to search.

Jisub took out his cell phone without waiting for his answer.

If he was going to mobilize all possible resources, there was someone he had to contact.

“Ah, Mentor! Hello!”

After a brief greeting, Jisub took out a pen and notepad and asked.

“Yes, it’s not that, but…… I have something to ask you.”

David Wilson, holding up the tablet PC in front of Jisub, as if he had found the information.

Jisub looked at the screen and continued.

“Guanajuato. It’s in Mexico.”

Click, click.

Jisub pressed the pen switch and asked.

“Do you happen to know the ‘taste of home’ of the players from that region?”