After talking with Adam Gladstone Tuesday morning, here’s an update on where things stand with some of the players who have been in the news:
Reggie Taylor: “I talked with Reggie before he went to camp with the 
Nationals and Frank talked with him,” Gladstone said. “The ball is in Reggie’s court. This is a situation where if he has interest we’ll do everything we possibly can for him. But it has to be up to him. You don’t talk a guy like that into coming back.”
It sounds like Taylor and the Barnstormers haven’t been in contact since the outfielder’s release last week. Taylor has expressed a desire to return to Lancaster a few times this offseason. So, unless he has experienced a sudden change of heart, I expect him to be with the Barnstormers.
Rob Henkel: Henkel and the Barnstormers have had conversations since the pitcher was released by the Red Sox last week. There’s mutual interest in him returning to Lancaster for a second season.
Henkel’s return would give the Barnstormers six starters, which is a good problem to have. He’s a pitcher who could become attractive to affiliated clubs if they suffer any injuries during the season. The former third-round pick is a hard-throwing lefty who pitched in Triple-A last year. He’s also one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet.
Joe Jiannetti: Although he’s a favorite of mine, and “Maize and Blue’s,” Jiannetti is NOT on the Barnstormers’ radar. The team is sticking with Steve Van Note as its starting third baseman.
Gladstone was asked if he anticipated adding ANY third baseman between now and camp.
“I think we’re pretty happy where we are right now,” he said. “We think Steve has earned the opportunity. We see something in him and we want to give him the opportunity to prove he can do it.”
The Barnstormers plan to invite 27 or 28 players to spring training and expect to carry 23 on their opening day roster. That likely means 11 pitchers and 12 position players. It doesn’t appear that there will be any big-name acquisitions between now and camp, but you never know for sure.
Unless he is not available, it’s difficult to understand why the Barnstormers have zero interest in a player the caliber of Jiannetti. Smart baseball player, more than adequate fielder, plus top five in about EVERY AL offensive category.
Steve may deserve a shot, but if there is opportunity to equal or improve the position go after it.
But it’s their money and they can spend it the way the want. Just don’t expect an ALL-Star playing 3rd base this season.
You’re preaching to the choir. I’m a big fan of Jiannetti’s. I think there are some questions about his defense at third base. He was mostly a second baseman and outfielder prior to last season.
Hope the experiment at 3rd base goes better than the one they tried at the beginning of 2005 at Shortstop.
Although people are focusing on third base, and understandably so, the more significant news is Henkel is probably returning. In his last six starts before leaving for the Red Sox, he was 5-0 with a 3.48 ERA. He’ll add to an already excellent rotation.
jianetti would be great, but people have to realize there is only so much money to go around under the cap. which this half of the league sticks too, not so much the other half. how do you think that a team could have 7-8 front line major league players on your team and stick to the cap without fudging the numbers a bit. anyways we have all star players all over the field in quincy, clyde, burkhart, danny, delgado has been an allstar in this league, bo hart should be, and myself, not to mention two of the best defensive outfielders in the league in jutt and chris. 5 AAA starting pitchers, great bullpen. i think people are just trying to get greedy now. you can’t pay out at every position you need a few starters that don’t make as much to keep more expensive ones around. trust me i would love jianetti on the team but its not gonna happen. van note or delgado at 3rd…
Yeah very true Jeremy. We certainly can not pick up everyone that is released by another team or becomes available. So, due to salary cap issues we must decide whom is most important to sign. At this point we need to strengthen our pitching and by re-signing Rob Henkel we have done just that. Our offensive lineup is extremely potent right now the way it looks….having Jianetti would be great as well but affording him is the problem at this point. People just seem to forget that there is a salary cap in place here and unfortunately sometimes you have to give something up. To keep these guys we have in the lineup (especially Jeremy…lol) we just have to go “cheaper” in other places. The Northern Division teams get the bigger names but then again look at the rest of their lineups…they arent able to sign much more than that. Right now we are at the point where we have a full lineup etc…now we look at what is best for the money…and find a few “diamonds in the rough” as it were.