Caught in a numbers crunch, the Revolution traded one of the original members of the team. Interested in activating center fielder Kennard Jones from the disabled list, the Revolution had 26 players and only 25 active roster spots.
Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone confirmed he has traded catcher Luis Taveras (pictured at right) to the Long Island Ducks. Working in a two-man platoon during his first two years with the club, Taveras has been relegated to a backup catcher this season with Josh Johnson earning most of the playing time.
Taveras, 33, batted .172 in just 21 games this season.
"I like Luis," York manager Chris Hoiles said. "I like what he's about and I respect what he's able to do."
Well liked by teammates and coaches, Taveras' locker remained stocked with his uniforms after batting practice Monday. Besides Johnson and Taveras, York also had catcher John Purdom on the roster.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Taveras is the older brother of Cincinnati Reds outfielder Willy Taveras. Luis traveled to see the Reds play against the Phillies at Citizen Bank Park on the Revs off day Thursday, July 9. It was an odd sight, Luis Taveras dressed in a Reds uniform and took the field for batting practice with the Reds.
York will eventually have to make another roster move. The team has six outfielders on the roster, including regular designated hitter Tom Collaro.
The Revs have three players on the roster that played for the inaugural club in 2007. Outfielder Jason Aspito and infielder Keoni DeRenne joined the team around midseason, but only reliever Jason Olson attended spring training that first season.
Check an earlier article on Luis Taveras when he helped the Revs win by breaking-up a double-play...he was being praised for his "hard-nosed play and could always be counted on for coming in and calming young pitchers"...why batting only .172? Could it be that he's only played in 21 games and just can't get into sync with playing once every few days? Luis "is" a fan favorite and was missed yesterday by many...the longest tenured player was let go for a catcher/infielder who's been playing for the Revs for about 2-3 weeks who when put in at 3rd base to give Padgett a rest had to be pulled after one inning (errors) and Padge was put in (Lancaster game)...I guess so much for loyalty to the players by the front office...hey....I have an idea why don't we trade Gladstone and keep Luis!