Major leagues: August 2008 Archives

Chris Hoiles wants to return to manage the York Revolution for a third season in 2009.

It remains to be seen if the Revolution front office and the ownership group Opening Day Partners will offer him a contract.

Hoiles (pictured above with pitching coach Tippy Martinez) has expressed an interest in returning, but it appears ODP will wait until his contract expires at the end of this season before it decides whether to offer him another one-year contract.

"In the offseason we'll review his effort on and off the field," Revolution General Manager Matt O'Brien said. "With us in first place now, his effort on the field is definitely paying dividends.

"His efforts off the field continue to grow."

Chris Ashby needs a break.

And one of these days, he may earn a day off.

The MVP for the York Revolution has played in every second-half game, and it finally appears to have caught up with the 33-year-old. For the first time all season, Ashby has been held hitless for three consecutive games. After going 0-for-4 Wednesday, Ashby finds himself in his worst slump of the season, going 0-for-13 during his last three games.

York third baseman Shea Hillenbrand has not returned to the Revolution clubhouse, and no one is certain if he will be back in York's lineup this season.

Hillenbrand left after York's victory on Aug. 13, when he injured a hamstring sliding head-first in to home with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. The team hoped he would return, and he told teammate Keoni DeRenne he would be back.

But Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone said there has been "no change" in the situation since last week.

Blogger's note: This is the third installment of a story examining Atlantic League players who have signed with major league organizations during the last two seasons.

After looking at the number of players signed during the last two seasons, it could be argued the Atlantic League has never been stronger.

Is that the case?

Probably. Thirty-three players, including York's Dave Gassner (above), returned to major league organizations.

Will the league continue to improve? Will more players be signed in 2009?

Maybe not.

Blogger's note: This is the second installment of a story examining Atlantic League players who have signed with major league organizations during the last two years.

The Atlantic League had a few more checks to cash this summer.

The league has sold a record 33 players to major league organizations this season, and with two weeks left to play in August, that number could increase. Four players from the York Revolution, including Nick McCurdy (above), returned to affiliated baseball this summer.

According to Atlantic League Executive Director Joe Klein, the league only receives payment from major league organizations if a player is signed during the Atlantic League's regular season. Here's a look at some of the details surrounding the players signed by major league organizations this season.

Blogger's note: This is the first installment of a story examining Atlantic League players who have signed with major league organizations during the last two years.

It almost seemed too easy last season.

The York Revolution watched Opening Day leadoff man Tike Redman go from the Atlantic League to the majors in a matter of weeks.

The league announced a record number of players returned to affiliated baseball. And six Revolution players returned to major league organizations.

Atlantic League Director Joe Klein confirmed that the league only receives payment from major league organizations if a player's contract is purchased during the Atlantic League's regular season. So here is a look back at the 27 players signed during the 2007 season.

One night after sliding head first into home plate to score the winning run with two outs in the ninth, Shea Hillenbrand has returned to his home in Arizona to have his personal trainer treat a hamstring injury.

"He told me he's coming back," Revs shortstop Keoni DeRenne said after talking to him by phone Thursday.

DeRenne and Hillenbrand have worked out together in the offseason, and DeRenne said Hillenbrand has used a personal trainer to help him recover from muscle injuries before.

Update: Shortly before the Friday midnight deadline, Alonso signed with the Reds for less than he'd wanted. He got a five-year major league deal that includes a $2 million signing bonus. In addition, Alonso gets a $50,000 salary for playing in the minors the rest of this season, $400,000 next year, $500,000 in 2010, $600,000 in 2011 and $1 million in 2012. If he is eligible for salary arbitration after 2011, he can void the 2012 salary.

The Long Island Ducks or Newark Bears could stand to pick up a big bat during the final weeks of the season. Miami slugger Yonder Alonso has said he is considering playing in the Atlantic League if he doesn't receive an acceptable contract offer from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds drafted Alonso in the June amateur draft. He has one year of college eligibility remaining, but remarked that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has offered him a place to stay in New York if he wants to play for Long Island or Newark.

For the second time in franchise history, a player who has worn the York Revolution uniform returned to the major leagues.

Right-hander Shane Loux returned to the majors with the Angels earlier this month. Loux pitched two innings against the Orioles Aug. 5. It was his first game in the majors since 2003.

Used as a reliever during the Revs inaugural spring training, York released Loux when it appeared his arm was not 100 percent. Loux did not pitch for another team in 2007, but he returned to baseball -- pitching for the Angels Triple-A farm club in Salt Lake City this season as a starter.

The Revolution lost one former major league closer Monday, they hope to acquire another major league closer Tuesday.

Former Revs closer Franklin Nunez has agreed in principal with York, according to Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone. Nunez is scheduled to arrive in York Tuesday.

A former reliever for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Nunez pitched for the Revs last season before the Brewers signed him in August. Nunez has spent the season playing for Saltillo in the Mexican League, compiling impressive numbers.

At the end, Dave Veres still dominated. He just couldn't be 30 again.

After pitching well in the Atlantic League in a setup and closer role for the York Revolution, Veres, 41, left the team and was placed on the inactive list Monday. He went 1-2 with a 2.27 ERA and six saves. He appeared in 35 games. He finished the season by saving three straight games in York's sweep of Camden.

"Do I want to keep pitching or do I realize I'm not going to make it back?" Veres said after Friday's game. "My goal wasn't to pitch in the Atlantic League. I wanted to use it as a stepping stone."

Veres left the team to return to his home in Colorado.

The Revolution continue to look for pitching help, even if the team has a full complement of 25 players.

Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone has been in talks with former Revs closer Franklin Nunez. The former Devil Rays reliever has been pitching for Saltillo in the Mexican League this summer. He is 3-2 with 19 saves and a 2.86 ERA.

Nunez saved 12 games for the Revs last season before the Milwaukee Brewers organization signed him in August.