SARASOTA, Fla. -- At first glance, the idea of making Curtis Goodwin the Orioles' leadoff hitter and regular center fielder appears risky, perhaps even dangerous. But at least Phil Regan thinks it's a plan worth exploring.
Regan's excitement over Goodwin reflects the sea change in philosophy that takes place under any new manager. Johnny Oates' favorites were overachieving veterans. Regan fell in love with a prospect in winter ball.
The contrast is nothing short of stunning. Oates would have viewed Goodwin as just another young player who might get him fired, and banished him to Triple-A. Regan has never even managed in the majors, yet he refuses to play it safe.
He wants to see Curtis Goodwin.
Now.
"It's very refreshing to have a manager who has an open mind about young talent, who's willing to give them an opportunity to play," assistant general manager Frank Robinson said.
"It helps the organization all the way down to drafting and signing players. It helps your minor-league development program. Players get excited down there. They say, 'Hey, if we have the skills and ability, we'll get the opportunity.'
"It had gotten to the point where a lot of players in this organization felt they weren't going to make it to the major leagues. That's a bad feeling to have. Whether it's true or not, you always want them to feel they have a chance to get here."
Of course, it wasn't Oates' fault that Manny Alexander was stuck behind Cal Ripken at shortstop, or that Paul Carey would never get a chance at first base with Rafael Palmeiro signed to a five-year contract.
But ask Damon Buford and Brad Pennington -- Oates always preferred a Jack Voigt or a Jim Poole. Now here's Regan, comparing Goodwin to Kenny Lofton, itching to promote him from Double-A.
"For a manager to say you have a chance to make the big-league team, you can't be nothing but excited," Goodwin said in a telephone interview. "You get thrilled about what you hear. But I've got to get there myself."
And that's easier said than done, especially with the major-leaguers on strike and so much uncertain. If the Orioles sign Andy Van Slyke, Goodwin could start the season at Triple-A. That's where former assistant GM Doug Melvin wanted him, so he could develop at the same rate as Alex Ochoa.
A year ago, Ochoa was still considered the better prospect. No more. Regan insists that Goodwin will get a chance even in an abbreviated spring training. And Robinson says he's keeping an open mind, though he'd be "a little bit reluctant" to rush Goodwin if camp were cut short to, say, two weeks.
Why is Goodwin suddenly on the fast track? Because he never stops playing. Among the Eastern League, Arizona Fall League and Venezuelan winter league, he has compiled 811 at-bats in the past 10 months.
His rapid emergence raises three questions:
* Is he ready for the majors?
* Would his ascension upset Brady Anderson?
* When will Damon Buford be traded?
The first question obviously is the most critical. Goodwin is only 22. If Regan rushes him too quickly, he might never recover.
But remember, Regan's background includes 10 years of managing in winter ball. Those who survive the experience gain respect for others who follow the same path. And that helps explain why Regan is so impressed by Goodwin.
"He was playing before 30,000 fans, against 35-year-old guys who know the only way they'll make money is if they get the little young left-handed guy out," said Orioles minor-league field coordinator David Jauss, who managed at Double-A Harrisburg last season, then took over for Regan in Caracas.
Jauss managed against Goodwin in the Eastern League last season. He said he saw a "distinctly different" player in Venezuela, one who improved dramatically against left-handed pitching.
Goodwin had nearly twice as many strikeouts (78) as (40) walks at Bowie, but he widened his stance to cut down body movement in Caracas, and Jauss said he did not strike out once DTC against a left-hander in January.
Still, Regan and Jauss are putting a lot of faith in what they saw this winter. Goodwin played only 39 games in Arizona and only 13 in Venezuela, facing Double-A and Triple-A pitching.
Is that enough to pass judgment?
For all his gifts, Goodwin had only a .333 on-base percentage at Bowie last season. That's barely acceptable for a leadoff man at that level, much less in the majors.
Yet, Goodwin sounds as confident as Regan.
Again, it comes back to Venezuela.
"I don't figure it being a big jump," Goodwin said. "It's a lot of pressure, but I think there was a lot more pressure in Venezuela. Those people can make you or break you. I figured that out quick.
"They breathe baseball. Their No. 1 sport is baseball. When Americans come out, they expect you to be better than the Venezuelans, to be superstars. They look up to you because you're American.
"I saw Americans who didn't play good -- the fans were booing, saying, 'Go home!' You do good, they'll cheer for you, do everything for you. But they do some crazy stuff. They throw stuff, fireworks on the field. You have no choice but to play good."
Still, there's pressure, and there's pressure. What would happen if Goodwin struggled before 45,000 fans at Camden Yards, with his entire future at stake? Remember, Buford made a tremendous debut in 1993. It lasted a week.
The one advantage Goodwin possesses is that he's in shape, while the major-leaguers haven't played in six months. In theory, the strike is hurting his chances, but he thinks it might be helping. "It's probably doing me good, just to get a little rest," he said.
Which brings us to Anderson.
His 1992 season was one of the best by a leadoff man in major-league history. But he's 31 now, and his on-base percentage has declined -- though only marginally -- each of the past two seasons.
That's not the issue.
Anderson never complains, but he probably wouldn't be happy batting sixth, or staying in left while an unproven rookie takes over in center.
Regan, though, is already preparing his sales pitch.
"It's not written in stone that he would hit in the sixth spot, but batting sixth would utilize his power," Regan said. "I would talk to him before I did it, but I don't anticipate a problem. He might even want to do it. He can get a lot of RBIs, and make a lot of money."
Someone alert Regan -- the idea of Anderson swinging for the fences is not necessarily appealing. Then again, he'd have no choice but to adjust. By next season, the Orioles could field an outfield of Goodwin, Ochoa and Jeffrey Hammonds.
The player lost in all this is Buford. Robinson is still upset that Oates buried him the past two seasons. "He should have been here last year, no doubt," Robinson said. "He could have contributed to this ballclub."
Buford joined the Orioles on three separate occasions, but appeared in only four games. Robinson believes he should have gotten 250 at-bats. But Oates rarely rested his regulars, used Voigt off the bench and even played Chris Sabo in the outfield.
"This kid can go out there and play for anybody defensively," Robinson said. "And offensively, from what I've seen, he keeps ++ improving each year. We kind of underestimate his offensive ability."
Perhaps, but if Goodwin moves past him, the Orioles would be obligated to trade Buford. What better way to symbolize the changing of guard? The young player hindered by Oates, replaced by the one pushed by Regan.
It all depends on the strike.
It all depends on Goodwin.
"If it's my time, it's my time," he said. "I've just got to keep going."