Jim Seip: March 2008 Archives

The Revolution signed outfielder/first baseman Matt Padgett and infielder Jose Enrique Cruz Friday.

And while Padgett has enjoyed a more accomplished career than Cruz, he also has a somewhat checkered past.

Starting in 2002, Padgett posted four straight seasons with 16 or more homers. But he hasn’t been able to match that output since 2005, the same year he was suspended for 15 games for violating minor league baseball’s drug prevention and treatment program.

Padgett is at least the second player signed by the Revolution who has been suspended for drugs. Last season York signed former major leaguer Steve Smyth, who was suspended from the minors for 15 games in 2005 for failing a drug test. In Padgett's defense, his drop in power production coincided with a serious injury. After hitting safely in 27 of 39 games for the Reading Phillies in 2006, he broke his arm in a collision at first base on July 5.

But here's a question: Should fans of the Atlantic League demand more answers about the league's drug-testing policy?

Absolutely.

The Baltimore Orioles may not be looking for a player to replace Jay Gibbons' spot on the roster. Gibbons' 15-day suspension could be lifted as part of an agreement between owners and the union according to the Associated Press.

That's bad news for former Revolution outfielder Tike Redman and utility player Scott Moore. Redman and Moore had been competing for what many insiders believe is the final spot on the Orioles roster.

The Washington Post reported that even if Orioles manager Dave Trembley decides to stick with Moore or Redman after today's exhibition game, that player still may not earn a roster spot until Gibbons' status is known.

Redman and Moore could both be headed to Norfolk, and Gibbons -- who batted .230 last season and has admitted using HGH -- could be back in Baltimore.

The York Revolution finally announced Wednesday they would bring back Jason Olson, one of York's most consistent relievers in 2007.

Olson (6-5, 4.03 ERA) was one of five players (Luis Cotto, Matt Dryer, Nate Espy and Chris Steinborn) to remain with the team from the first day of spring training until the season finale in Central Islip, N.Y.

“When Jason is on, he has the tendency to be un-hittable in this league,” Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone said. “The last couple of years, he has spot-started and been successful in that role, and he also brings a veteran presence to the bullpen. He has learned to enjoy the York area, and is excited to return this season.”

He survived a terrible '07 debut, allowing four earned runs in 1/3 of an inning in York's franchise opener against Bridgeport. But he posted an 0.69 ERA for the month of June and went eight consecutive appearances (May 31 through June 23) without allowing a run.

Toward the end of the season Olson became hittable again (he allowed eight runs during three straight appearances in August), but he also needed to leave the team for a stretch of time to resolve a personal issue during that time.

One of York's late-season acquisitions has decided to move on.

Pitcher Zach Cline has signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association.

The move makes sense for Cline, 24, who struggled (15.75 ERA) in three appearances with the Revs late in the year. Cline was brought in to help stabilize the Revs bullpen in September, but it was clear the Erie native needed more experience before stepping into the Atlantic League.

Former Orioles prospect Dustin Yount, the son of Hall of Famer Robin Yount, is also among the players signed by Lincoln. The team is managed by Tim Johnson, a former Blue Jays manager best known for winning games and lying about his experiences in Vietnam.

The blog "Can't Stop the Bleeding" has offered some new baseball terminology.

Boston manager Terry Francona reported Sean Casey would miss the Tokyo games, calling it a case of “Southern League Neck” -- or a sore neck caused by long bus rides.

"Can't Stop..." takes it a step further:

"(It) should not be confused with the more modern ailment, 'Atlantic League Neck' (i.e. after several HGH injections supplied by ... a trusted teammate, a player no longer appears to have a neck."

Oh, one more thing. "Can't Stop the Bleeding" struck out the name Pete Rose Jr. before writing "a trusted teammate."

Ouch.

Apparently York doesn't own a monopoly on former Orioles. And judging from Baltimore's accomplishments during the last 10 years -- that might be a good thing.

The Lancaster Barnstormers announced the signing of former Orioles reliever Sendy Rleal. The move helps Lancaster replace towering right-hander Derrick DePriest, who told Jason Guarente of the Lancaster New Era that he will sign with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in 2008.

Rleal reached the majors in 2006 as a 25-year-old throwing 91-93 mph with an above-average changeup.

"It doesn't matter what the count is, I'll throw it," Rleal told Jorge Arangure Jr. of
the Washington Post in 2006.

Luis Cotto won't return to the York Revolution in 2008. One of the hardest working players on York's inaugural team, Cotto is one of several Atlantic League players to sign with the Edmonton Cracker-Cats of the Northern League.

Newark's Marcus Nettles and Lancaster's Chris Van Rossum have also signed with Edmonton according to the Edmonton Sun.

Nettles is the biggest name of the three, stealing 49 bases for the eventual league champions. Van Rossum batted .254 and hit 13 homers for Lancaster. Cotto batted .244 in a backup role for York, but he did have a .350 OBP. He also worked all season in the batting cage, the one player who consistently took extra batting practice.

Tike Reman could be down in Norfolk looking up at the Orioles' big league club shaking his head once again. Redman impressed the O's after an August call-up in 2007 when he batted .318 with seven stolen bases in 40 games. First-year manager Dave Trembley all but guaranteed the former York Revolution outfielder would be on his roster in 2008.

But now it sounds like the Orioles and Trembley are having second thoughts, even though Redman has batted .296 this spring.

"He has not hurt his chances with the way he's swung the bat this spring, but on the other side of the coin, we're pretty left-handed dominated," Trembley told the Baltimore Sun. "We need to have a guy that is a multiple-position (meaning infield) player."

You could see this coming months ago, when the O's loaded up on outfielders. Somebody wasn't going to make the big club. It looks like Redman, despite his numbers, is the guy the Orioles want to send down -- or even cut.

Good hitter. Left-handed bat. Versatile speedy outfielder. And the O's find a reason to not use him. Unbelievable. Then again, this is your Peter Angelos-owned Orioles.

Two of the Revs big hitters from last season will arrive in York earlier than expected.

Outfielder Jason Aspito and infielder Matt Dryer will conduct hitting lessons for boys and girls ages 7 and up starting March 25. Lessons will cost $45 for each 30-minute session. For more information or to reserve a lesson, contact the Revolution at 801-HITS or stop by Sovereign Bank Stadium.

The team has posted the schedule for hitting lessons ...

The York Revolution will have to replace some of its top talent this season, and that will be a big problem.

The question remains, how long will it take before York loses its first player? Last year, Tike Redman didn't even make it out of May. This year, York's biggest prospect appears to be Matt Esquivel, a power hitting outfielder who won't turn 26 until December. But there are also five former major league pitchers on York's roster.

Here's a guess at the top prospects on York's team so far. Players have been handicapped with the bias scouts from major league organizations have shown during recent years. (Major leaguers get preferential treatment -- even if their numbers aren't the greatest. And every organization needs pitching.)

The York Revolution announced a move that has been in the works for a couple weeks. York named longtime Baltimore Orioles bullpen catcher Sam Snider its hitting coach.

Snider comes to York via Lancaster.

York wanted Snider because of his close relationship with Revolution manager Chris Hoiles. During a 27-year career with the Orioles, Snider and Hoiles became close friends. The Revolution, however, didn't have an immediate coaching opening. So the Barnstormers hired him in December.

But when hitting and third base coach Ryan Minor returned to the Orioles organization in January -- it became apparent Snider would make a better fit in York.

To fill Snider's absence in Lancaster, the Barnstormers hired former major leaguer Boots Day.

After talking with Hoiles about Snider and the Revs ... Hoiles offered some views on the 2008 squad.

The York Revolution could announce the team's new hitting coach as soon as Friday, according to several team sources.

The move has been in the works for weeks, and the announcement was expected to be released earlier this week. The announcement has been delayed because the coach is currently employed by another Opening Day Partners team.

The Revs did not expect to make any changes to its coaching staff this season, but hitting coach Ryan Minor left the team to take a job with the Delmarva Shorebirds (Single-A) in the Orioles farm system Jan. 30.

The Revolution signed Pete Munro Thursday, adding the fifth pitcher with major league experience to their roster.

Revs closer Wayne Franklin played with Munro for the President Lions in Taiwan last season. Munro was one of the top pitchers in the Chinese Professional Baseball League, helping his team to the championship. But it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to baseball back in the states. A junk baller who relies on control more than velocity, Munro, 32, is still young enough that he should get attention from major league scouts if he excels in the Atlantic League.

York also locked up Sandy Aracena for another season, bringing back a catcher who spent 18 games with the Revs last season.

The Munro signing illustrates the Revolution's new approach to building a team in Year Two of the Revolution Experience. It appears to be an improvement over 2007.

Peter Bergeron, the first player signed in Revolution franchise history, still needs a contract for 2008. He hasn't been contacted by the Revolution this offseason, and he still wants to play.

By looking at York's already beefy roster (14 players, including four outfielders), it seems Bergeron's chances for returning with the Revolution range from slim to none.

A class act, Bergeron, 30, deserves another shot in the Atlantic League. He's respected by his teammates. He doesn't cause problems. And he can still field and hit. Dinged up at the start of last season, he battled through a difficult May (.195 batting average) and recovered to bat .337 during the month of June.

His two stints in independent baseball ended with him earning contracts with major league organizations.

Here's a look at a story on Bergeron from the York Sunday News.

Mark Phillips wants to get back to affiliated baseball. He also wants to reach the major leagues. But the former first-round draft pick, and the ninth selection overall in the 2000 amateur baseball draft will have a difficult decision to make this season.

Should he pursue his dream? Or should he put everything on hold so he won't lose the $40,000 that the Padres earmarked for his college education when he signed a pro contract out of Hanover High School? It's a difficult decision for a player mentioned as one of the best high school players in the country.

Out of pro baseball for almost three seasons, Phillips returned to action with the Newark Bears in 2007 with mixed success. He earned a win during his first start, but he lost his next three decisions.

Here's a story in the York Sunday News detailing Phillips' difficult situation.

York Revolution team MVP Nate Espy has notified the Revolution he will not return this season, and he believes he has played his last professional game.

"I just feel like it's time," Espy said. "If something would have come along during the offseason -- even if it was a major league organization letting me know I was on their radar -- I might have kept playing. But I'll be 30 next month."

Espy led York in virtually every offensive category in '07, establishing team records for batting average (.316), homers (22), RBIs (90), runs (82), hits (137), triples (six), slugging percentage (.547) and on-base percentage (.419) during York's inaugural season. Despite his numbers, Espy never received a serious offer from any affiliated club last season. He let the door open for a possible return to playing if an affiliated job or well-paying position overseas opens up during the season, but he believes his playing career is over.

"I'm not the lone ranger," Espy said. "There are a lot of people -- just in the Atlantic League -- that didn't get a call. And some of them have been playing two, three, four years."