Why Team Mexico believes it has pieces to make another deep run

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Team Mexico came oh so close to facing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final three years ago, getting walked off in the ninth inning of their semifinal matchup with Japan.

The loss was devastating but their performance to that point in the tournament has had a big impact on both baseball in Mexico and the club's confidence heading into this year's tournament.

We sat down with Mexico general manager Rodrigo Lopez to get his thoughts on where his team stands:

MLB.com: You guys were so close last time around, how difficult was dealing with that loss?

Lopez: It was pretty tough to take it the way it happened. We were three outs away from getting to the finals and we felt like we had it, we were there, and then a few batters later it was over. When we had some time after, we could look back and say we were really happy with how we did overall.

MLB.com: You have a lot of the same players coming back this year. Do you think that experience of making it to the semis last time gives them some added confidence this time around?

Lopez: Yes, because the two WBC's prior to '23, we didn't even make it to the second round. So I think, collectively for the whole team, what we did then makes us believe. As a team now I think they trust themselves and believe in themselves after that. We know what we're capable of now and we have pretty much the same staff and most of the players that participated last time. They know what it's all about, what it's like -- so that helps as well. And definitely, that team set the bar and now we want to go even higher.

MLB.com: Do you think that success had an impact on baseball in Mexico?

Lopez: Oh, for sure. And it wasn't just baseball that it impacted. To be honest, when we were in the tournament I didn't realize how much of an impact [it had], but when we got to Miami and I saw how many people from Mexico made the trip to support us, I started to get it. The Mexican president at the time was watching the games and talking about it. Afterwards, attendance in the Mexican League went up. There were more kids playing Little League and we had more sponsorship for baseball. There was a lot of pride.

MLB.com: And not just baseball?

Lopez: No, you saw in other sports, Mexican athletes doing Randy Arozarena's "signal" [where he crosses his arms and leans back]. Soccer athletes, they did it in track and field, softball, it was everywhere.

MLB.com: Was it easier to recruit players this time around as a result?

Lopez: Yes, but there are always challenges in putting teams together. Some players we wanted couldn't play for different reasons. But we really like who we ended up getting. We got some guys that surprised me, like [Colorado's] Victor Vodnik and Alexander Armenta, who pitches in the Minor Leagues in Japan but is a big prospect for [Fukuoka Softbank].

MLB.com: Alejandro Kirk was injured last time around and couldn't play but he's going to be behind the plate for you and you added one of the best closers in baseball in Seattle's Andrés Muñoz. How important are those two additions?

Lopez: I think the whole team is pumped about having them. They both were Major League All-Stars last year. They both are key positions, I mean, the catcher is big for running a game and to have a closer like that gives players confidence that if we have a lead late -- we're in good hands.

MLB.com: How do you feel about the pitching staff overall?

Lopez: I feel good about our pitching. We don't have many starters, but we have a good, strong bullpen and very good defense to help that staff. An advantage that we have in this tournament is that we have 15 pitchers, and if you see our schedule, we have days off in between so that will allow us to pitch guys in back-to-back games. We don't need to be perfect because we have enough pitchers to fill in case of fatigue or if something goes wrong.

MLB.com: Who is one player that fans might not know much about but should keep their eye on during the tournament?

Lopez: I would say Alexander Armenta. I think this kid is going to surprise everyone and be a key player for us.