THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509030182
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
No matter what Norfolk Tides pitcher Paul Wilson, shortstop Rey Ordonez and outfielder Jay Payton do in the International League playoffs, they won't go up to the New York Mets when the season is over. It has nothing to do with the performances of the budding stars and everything to do with the machinations involved in compiling the Mets' 40-man offseason roster.
Each winter every organization protects 40 players from the Rule V draft, in which players from other teams can be taken for $50,000. But because Wilson, Payton and Ordonez have not played pro ball long enough to be eligible for the draft, the Mets do not have to put them on their roster - as long as they don't play in the majors this season.
That gives the Mets the luxury of protecting a few other players, said Mets assistant vice president of baseball operations Gerry Hunsicker.
``I have to wait my turn and accept it,'' said Wilson, last year's top pick in the June draft. ``What am I going to do, start pouting, `Please take me to the big leagues?' I just have to say, `OK, you can't do anything about this year, do your job down here and wait till you get your shot.' ''
Hunsicker said any promotions the Mets make after the playoffs will involve players already on the 40-man roster. That pool includes infielder Aaron Ledesma, outfielders Ricky Otero and Alex Ochoa and pitchers Robert Person, Pete Walker and Juan Acevedo.
OUT OF FAVOR: Omar Garcia's stunning demotion to Double-A last week for not hustling does not necessarily mean he is out of the Mets' plans, minor league director Steve Phillips said.
``We don't hold grudges,'' Phillips said. ``This is part of the learning process for Omar. We hope it's something he takes to heart and it translates into hustle and effort. At that point it won't be an issue anymore.''
Though Phillips last week left the door open for Garcia's return for the playoffs, Tides general manager Dave Rosenfield said Saturday he did not believe Garcia would be back. ``I never expected this,'' Garcia told the Press and Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton. ``I've learned my lesson after this.''
GOOD TO GO: Despite Ordonez's two-week absence in August during which he reportedly got his immigration papers in order, it wasn't until Friday that Ordonez was cleared to leave the country.
Until then, the Tides believed Ordonez would be unable to accompany them to Ottawa should they meet the Lynx in the Governors' Cup finals. Ordonez had to stay home the last time the Tides went to Canada, in June.
It was learned that Ordonez was docked pay during his trip home to Miami, which began when he returned to be with his wife, who had just given birth, but extended much longer than was planned.
RUINED HOMECOMING: It could have been something really good. But inactivity, then illness, hindered Virginia Beach's Trey McCoy during his two months with the Tides. McCoy, who last appeared in a game Aug. 13, is on the disabled list because of ulcers and irritation in his throat and will not be available for the playoffs.
``That's the part that really hurts me,'' said McCoy, who played in 25 games and batted .209 with three home runs after he was signed July 5.
McCoy was used mostly as a designated and pinch hitter, but manager Toby Harrah lamented his inability to get McCoy into the lineup for a few days in a row.
``It's been tough. It wears on you,'' said McCoy, who said he and his family will live in Virginia Beach over the winter. ``I definitely love the game. I know if I get the opportunity to get at-bats the numbers will take care of themselves.''
Harrah said he would recommend that the Mets try to re-sign McCoy, 28, who hit 29 home runs for the Texas Rangers in Double-A two years ago and 15 last year in Triple-A.
``When you look at next year's team, they're going to need a couple veterans and somebody who can pop the ball out of the yard,'' Harrah said. ``Trey's a hard-working kid. I like him.''
BUS TO RICHMOND: The Tide Watchers are sponsoring a bus trip to Monday's playoff game in Richmond. The bus will leave from McDonald's at Military Cirle at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $20 per person and includes a ticket to game. To reserve a seat, call Rick Laumann at 548-0559. by CNB