Bill Leeds
09-08-2006, 04:09 PM
Bums to deal with off-season decisions
League rules will force turnover for next season
BY JEFF PEEK
TRAVERSE CITY — What now?
Hours after the Traverse City Beach Bums finished off a successful inaugural season in the Frontier League — setting first-year records for wins (57-39) and attendance (203,574) — manager Jeff Isom was already looking ahead to 2007.
Isom and club vice president Jason Wuerfel face some difficult decisions in the coming months about who to bring back to Wuerfel Park next spring.
Because the independent Frontier League is a developmental baseball league and places an emphasis on rookies and first-year professional players, teams are allowed a total of only five veteran and two-year roster spots.
That means some of the Bums' most popular players won't be back.
"That will be the hardest thing for our fans because they've really fallen in love with these guys," Isom said. "But we can't keep everybody, as much as I'd like to.
"Generally, only eight to 10 players come back from the previous year. It's tough, but every team is in the same boat."
One consideration for Isom and Wuerfel is that the Frontier League will expand from 10 teams to 12 in 2007. Marion, Ill., is already on board, and Isom said another team is expected to join. That means there will likely be an expansion draft.
"We'll hold onto our guys until we find out what's happening with that," Isom said. "That's step No. 1."
It may actually be months before official roster moves are made — and many won't come until players are released from organized ball (Major League affiliated teams) during spring training. That leaves the Bums' future roster up in the air.
The Frontier League allows only three roster spots in the veteran category — players who already have three or more seasons of professional experience.
Traverse City center fielder Doug Garcia has "aged out" because he will turn 28 before next season — the age limit is 27. That leaves right-handed pitcher Tony Casoli (13-3, 2.44 ERA, league Pitcher of the Year honors), infielder Steve Young (.271, 24 stolen bases), first baseman Brad Vericker (.294, 9 home runs, 44 RBIs) and outfielder/designated hitter Mike Reese (.269, 66 runs, 7 home runs, 41 RBIs, 33 steals) — for three spots.
Reese said after Monday night's season finale that he thought he might be "the odd man out" unless there was a trade involving one of the other three, but Isom refused to tip his hand.
And as if that dilemma isn't tough enough, Isom will have even more difficult decisions to make regarding his two-year players. That group includes infielder Nick Batkoski (the team's top run producer with 68 RBIs), starting catcher Clay Blevins (.258), outfielder Nathan Gravley (.284), right-handed starting pitcher Robbie McClellan (8-5, 3.31 ERA), right-handed reliever Hunter Davis (5-3, 2.65 ERA, 9 saves), backup catcher-first baseman Kevin Gergel and reserve outfielder Jaziel Mendoza.
Only two can return.
"We go from a limit of seven one-year players to two two-years players, so it funnels pretty quickly," Isom said. "There aren't any easy cuts, but the two-year guys are harder than the veterans."
The Bums can bring back all of their one-year players if they want to — shortstop Justin Holmes, outfielder Al Roach and pitchers Steve Shippey, Ryan Gehring, Buddy Klovstad and Jordan Thomson. The same goes for the players who because of limited action will still be considered rookies next spring — pitchers Jason Furrow, Kory Bucklew, Ryan Ariail and Paul Mezzetta and utility player Justin Meagher.
But will they all want to return if asked?
Many players in low-level professional baseball come to a crossroads and wonder if it's time to hang up their spikes and get a "real" job. Or some may accept offers elsewhere.
TC pitcher David LeMieux, still a rookie by league standards, called it a career on Monday and will stick to teaching elementary school.
Holmes was non-committal when asked if he'll be back.
"We'll see," the Florida native said. "Right now, I'm going fishing."
Isom is ready for whatever may come.
"The off-season is my favorite time," he said before heading home to Lafayette, Ind. "Putting the team together, finding the right pieces — that's what I enjoy doing."
When does the FL usually hold such things like expansion, dispersal drafts? Is November the time when we can realistically expect a announcement about the rest of the teams coming in for next year?
League rules will force turnover for next season
BY JEFF PEEK
TRAVERSE CITY — What now?
Hours after the Traverse City Beach Bums finished off a successful inaugural season in the Frontier League — setting first-year records for wins (57-39) and attendance (203,574) — manager Jeff Isom was already looking ahead to 2007.
Isom and club vice president Jason Wuerfel face some difficult decisions in the coming months about who to bring back to Wuerfel Park next spring.
Because the independent Frontier League is a developmental baseball league and places an emphasis on rookies and first-year professional players, teams are allowed a total of only five veteran and two-year roster spots.
That means some of the Bums' most popular players won't be back.
"That will be the hardest thing for our fans because they've really fallen in love with these guys," Isom said. "But we can't keep everybody, as much as I'd like to.
"Generally, only eight to 10 players come back from the previous year. It's tough, but every team is in the same boat."
One consideration for Isom and Wuerfel is that the Frontier League will expand from 10 teams to 12 in 2007. Marion, Ill., is already on board, and Isom said another team is expected to join. That means there will likely be an expansion draft.
"We'll hold onto our guys until we find out what's happening with that," Isom said. "That's step No. 1."
It may actually be months before official roster moves are made — and many won't come until players are released from organized ball (Major League affiliated teams) during spring training. That leaves the Bums' future roster up in the air.
The Frontier League allows only three roster spots in the veteran category — players who already have three or more seasons of professional experience.
Traverse City center fielder Doug Garcia has "aged out" because he will turn 28 before next season — the age limit is 27. That leaves right-handed pitcher Tony Casoli (13-3, 2.44 ERA, league Pitcher of the Year honors), infielder Steve Young (.271, 24 stolen bases), first baseman Brad Vericker (.294, 9 home runs, 44 RBIs) and outfielder/designated hitter Mike Reese (.269, 66 runs, 7 home runs, 41 RBIs, 33 steals) — for three spots.
Reese said after Monday night's season finale that he thought he might be "the odd man out" unless there was a trade involving one of the other three, but Isom refused to tip his hand.
And as if that dilemma isn't tough enough, Isom will have even more difficult decisions to make regarding his two-year players. That group includes infielder Nick Batkoski (the team's top run producer with 68 RBIs), starting catcher Clay Blevins (.258), outfielder Nathan Gravley (.284), right-handed starting pitcher Robbie McClellan (8-5, 3.31 ERA), right-handed reliever Hunter Davis (5-3, 2.65 ERA, 9 saves), backup catcher-first baseman Kevin Gergel and reserve outfielder Jaziel Mendoza.
Only two can return.
"We go from a limit of seven one-year players to two two-years players, so it funnels pretty quickly," Isom said. "There aren't any easy cuts, but the two-year guys are harder than the veterans."
The Bums can bring back all of their one-year players if they want to — shortstop Justin Holmes, outfielder Al Roach and pitchers Steve Shippey, Ryan Gehring, Buddy Klovstad and Jordan Thomson. The same goes for the players who because of limited action will still be considered rookies next spring — pitchers Jason Furrow, Kory Bucklew, Ryan Ariail and Paul Mezzetta and utility player Justin Meagher.
But will they all want to return if asked?
Many players in low-level professional baseball come to a crossroads and wonder if it's time to hang up their spikes and get a "real" job. Or some may accept offers elsewhere.
TC pitcher David LeMieux, still a rookie by league standards, called it a career on Monday and will stick to teaching elementary school.
Holmes was non-committal when asked if he'll be back.
"We'll see," the Florida native said. "Right now, I'm going fishing."
Isom is ready for whatever may come.
"The off-season is my favorite time," he said before heading home to Lafayette, Ind. "Putting the team together, finding the right pieces — that's what I enjoy doing."
When does the FL usually hold such things like expansion, dispersal drafts? Is November the time when we can realistically expect a announcement about the rest of the teams coming in for next year?