While the chief weakness last season for the Bridgeport Bluefish was their brutal defense, the lineup also lacked an intimidating look on a daily basis.
The Bluefish finished in a three-way tie for second in the Atlantic League in hitting with a franchise-worst .275 average. They were last in home runs with 103 in 139 games.
The lineup was hurt initially when Kinnis Pledger, the 1998 league Co-Player of the Year, broke his right ankle falling into the dugout in the third game of the season. He would miss the rest of the first half and never regained full strength.
But the team also missed designated hitter Mel Wearing, who couldn't play full-time because of his professional obligation as a financial consultant to American Skandia in Shelton. On Tuesday, the Bluefish received an emphatic boost when they announced the 33-year-old Wearing has re-signed with the organization on a full-time basis.
Wearing, who left American Skandia last week to resume his baseball career, was one of seven players signed by the team. Relief pitchers Keith Davis and Steve Smetana, starter Ron Frazier, infielders Brendan Kingman and Juan Cepeda and catcher Matt Dyer were also signed.
"(Wearing) anchors the lineup," general manager Charlie Dowd said. "Last year we were constantly having to adjust, particularly in the middle of the lineup. Now we think there's going to be some consistency with Kinnis, Mel, and we'll probably have someone else coming in that can provide some power. And I foresee Kingman as a No. 6 guy. So 3-4-5-6 we're going to be pretty tough."
Pledger phoned Dowd this week to inform him he had mailed his signed contract. Dowd said he is close to re-signing first baseman/outfielder Oreste Marrero and is negotiating with Japanese righthander Masaru Imazeki. Imazeki, 30, has spent seven seasons in the Pacific League in Japan.
Wearing has hit a combined .294 with 44 home runs and 170 RBI in 240 career games for the Bluefish. But after hitting .313 with team-highs of 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 111 games in 1999, he hit just .265 with 14 home runs and 52 RBI in 84 games last season.
Wearing, who is trimmer than a year ago, rarely took batting practice and often arrived at Harbor Yard in time for the national anthem.
"Having Mel on a day in and day out basis, with his ability to take batting practice every day, I wouldn't want to be an Atlantic League pitcher for anyone else but the Bluefish," Dowd said.
After believing for three seasons he had found a reliable everyday third baseman, Dowd now hopes Kingman is the real deal to plug what has been a perennial sore spot in the infield. Kingman broke his left (glove) arm last season as a member of the Class AA New Haven Ravens before returning to play 11 games for Catskill of the independent Northern League.
He recently completed a successful season in Australia.
"I've heard good things about (Kingman) and we're going to give him every chance to win the job or compete to win the job," Dowd said.
The Bluefish now have 14 players under contract (seven pitchers). Dowd said he hopes to go to training camp in Haines City, Fla., April 22 with at least 20 players signed.
Opening Day is May 4 at Long Island.
"I almost wish I could go down with a full roster, but the league wants us to utilize the draft they have down there," Dowd said. "I just feel more comfortable with the devil I know. But each year we grab one or two quality guys from the draft.
"I think we'll be very fortunate going down there just looking to supplement what we have. I think we may be in that position."
