SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles scouting director Gary Nickels is still flying from state to state, driving from city to city, seeing as much baseball and as many prospects as he can.
In other words, nothing's really changed for him, despite the major-league players' strike.
"So far, I don't think it has affected us in any way," Nickels said. "It's one of the areas of the game that's really on the fringe of the thing."
Although the major-league revenues have dried up, Nickels' budget remains the same. The national scouts are collecting as many frequent-flyer miles as they always have.
In one sense, Nickels could actually benefit from the strike. Gordon Goldsberry and Fred Uhlman Sr., special assignment scouts who normally would be watching major-league players now, could end up helping Nickels prepare for the 1995 draft.
Goodwin vs. Lofton
Manager Phil Regan takes advantage of any chance he gets to laud minor-league outfielder Curtis Goodwin. He was asked if Goodwin compares to Cleveland center fielder Kenny Lofton, an MVP candidate last year.
"He's very comparable [to Lofton] at the stage where he's at right now," Regan said. "When Kenny Lofton left Venezuela the year he got traded from Houston to Cleveland [before the '92 season], I saw him down there. The first half of the year he didn't look good, but as the year went on he kept getting better and better and better. I think you see that along the same lines with Curtis Goodwin, that he has really improved.
"I happened to talk to [Indians shortstop] Omar Vizquel yesterday. . . . He said, 'When Goodwin did what he does [best] -- not worry about home runs and just hit the ball -- he took off.' "
Goodwin vs. Jordan
Last week, Chicago White Sox minor-leaguer Michael Jordan said he enjoyed his time playing along with Goodwin in the Arizona Fall League, that Goodwin was a lot of fun. But, Jordan said with great authority, Goodwin can't play basketball.
Goodwin responded: "I had to give up basketball for four years. If I played everyday I'd be all right. I almost dunked on him.
F: "I can't play basketball? He doesn't have a good arm."
Tomlin's obstacle
If the Orioles do choose to sign left-hander Randy Tomlin, who worked out for Regan and general manager Roland Hemond on Thursday, they could be slowed by the owners' Player Relations Committee.
Baseball sources said yesterday that the owners have decreed that any contract that involves a player with serious potential of playing in the majors in 1995 -- even those signing minor-league contracts, like Tomlin -- must go through the PRC.
WISH LIST
Scouting director Gary Nickels identified the Orioles' biggest needs in the 1995 draft. The Orioles select 21st overall.
1. Middle infield
2. Catching
3' 3. Pitching, preferably left-handed