Vero Beach, FL (AP) - As the Vero Beach Bums ready for their crucial
league championship series against the Washington Sea Dogs, they must also
prepare a list of players to be protected in the "unique" PVBL free agent
plan.
"Despite our general opposition to the plan," stated team owner Jason
Gohlke in a press conference, "we must of course adhere to the rules and
release a list of protected players. Since many of my fellow team owners
have released their lists, I will do so now as well."
"We have chosen option number two, because it allows us to protect not six
but 21 players on our fifty-man roster," said Gohlke. "I'm proud to say
that the list of players that are automatically protected alone could make
up the nucleus of a quality team. Through roster management, I have tried
to minimize the effect of the loss of a quality player, although losing
any player is painful for the Bums organization."
Gohlke then unveiled the list.
Automatically protected under option #2:
(17 of 50 players)
P Albie Lopez
P Ismael Valdes
P Willie Adams
SS Joseph Idstein
3B Phil Nevin
C Jim Collins
2B Jim Lynch
1B Harry Hoch
P John Tankersley
P Terrell Wade
P Bubbles Bressler
P Bill Goltz
P Craig Hutto
P Jake Kush
C John Clary
SS Bill Fielder
SS Perry Winegarner
3 protected players:
CF Marquis Grissom
RF Brian Jordan
1B Jeff King
1 franchise player:
P Trevor Hoffman
"I consider the players that I protected part of the heart of this team,
all reasons why we are where we are today," claimed Gohlke. "Grissom and
Jordan epitomize what it means to be a Vero Beach Bum, on the field and
off. They are both great hitters and fielders, but more importantly, are
quality human beings. The same goes for our best power hitter, Jeff King.
Trevor Hoffman has been one of the premier closers in this league since
its inception, and his steady brilliance would be difficult to part with."
The Bums did leave a fair number of quality players unprotected, including
3B Dave Hollins, 2B Rex Hudler, SS Omar Vizquel, P Kevin Ritz, and rookie
P Orlando Hernandez.
"We have no less respect for the players that we didn't protect," said
Gohlke. "We are simply deeper in the infield and in pitching, and the
loss of one player there will not hurt as much as it would in the
outfield."
"Unlike other owners in the league, I did realize the possibility that
some players might turn 25 before the draft happened, and considered that
possibility in advance," added Gohlke. "In retrospect, I'm sorry that I
didn't warn my fellow owners that this might happen, but I thought that
everyone knew about it. This is yet another reason why I am in opposition
to the plan as it exists. I must admit, it is superior to the plan of
last year, but it is still not, in my opinion, worthy of support."
