12/1/2010: Bakersfield, CA – Last week, the Bears had two players who went to arbitration.  Both Chance “Scandal” Tidwell and Roy “Zippo” Whitfield were awarded $600,000 contracts by the arbiter.  The Bears are very pleased to retain two important role-players, who have been great core members and two of the best clubhouse leaders on the roster.

Many fans have questioned why Bears management continues to invest in two players who have put up mediocre numbers and appear to have little upside.  However, if you talk to anyone who has spent any time with either of these guys, their importance to the franchise is clear.  It is ironic that both Zippo and Scandal are so similar in their strengths and the benefits they provide to the Bears, which is great defense and, most importantly, great leadership.

At age 29, Zippo has been a fixture in the Bears bullpen for the last four seasons.  With all of the young hotshot prospects that the Bears bullpen features, Zippo has remained a steady force.  He has consistently put up solid numbers and done so while being a calming influence and mentor to the entire bullpen.  He has a career 3.31 ERA and a career 1.18 WHIP.

Zippo was initially drafted by the Duluth Warriors in the 2007 inaugural draft (39^th round).  He never played a game for Duluth before being acquired in a trade along with starting pitcher Howard Good for starting pitcher Matthew Chandler and outfielder John Kelley.  He struggled in his one year with the Warriors’ organization but has always been decent since arriving in pitcher-friendly Bakersfield.  He is not a product of home field advantage, though, as he showed last season with a 6.06 ERA at home and a 2.74 ERA on the road.

Zippo has good size (6’0″ tall, 208 pounds).  Despite not having a high-velocity fastball, he still was able to get a strikeout when necessary without blowing hitters away.  He pitches well against left-handed and right-handed hitters.  He also has a little postseason experience, pitching in the 2008 and 2011 playoffs.  He was perfect in all three of his postseason appearances, not allowing a single base runner.

Zippo has always prided himself in his excellent defense.  He was very upset when he had his first error of his life last season.  However when you want to talk defense, it is time to talk about the other player who received a $600,000 arbitration award: Mr. Chance “Scandal” Tidwell.

Scandal has long been considered one of the best defensive catchers in the PEBA.  As the recipient of the 2008 SL All-Leather Award at catcher, he established himself as respected defensive player.  He has continued to perform at the same high standard, just in a more limited role.  Scandal has mentored Gabriel Camacho and helped him to develop into an outstanding catcher as well.  Scandal has not been able to get more playing time because of the success of Gabriel, but also because he has historically struggled with the bat.

With a career .198 average, it is understandable why Scandal only played in 33 games (exactly 33) each of the last three years.  At age 31, the Bears are not expecting his lack of hitting to change, but he did have his best season last year, hitting .250.  It is his defense that keeps him employed.  Scandal threw runners out 57% of the time last year.  He still maintains great range and an almost flawless glove, committing only two errors and zero passed balls.

Scandal was originally drafted in the 2007 inaugural draft (15^th round) by the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo.  The Bears acquired him that same year in a catcher swap involving Gerald McKnight, who is now retired.  Scandal has spent all of the next four seasons with Bakersfield.

Scandal also showed leadership this offseason when he requested a meeting with the Bears front office and suggested that he would be willing to go down to the minor leagues during the season if they wanted to bring up Ming Sun, a catcher in the minors who appears to be ready for a shot in Bakersfield.  Scandal pointed out that he had two options left and that he would be willing to spend part of the season in the minors.  It is not clear if the Bears will take him up on the offer, but it does show what kind of team-first player he is.  Sun heard about what Scandal had done and called him to thank him.  Scandal then offered for Ming to spend two weeks this offseason to train at Scandal’s home.  Sun apparently accepted the offer and ended up staying for four weeks.  Ming is already considered a great defensive catcher himself.  Now, after spending the month with Scandal, the Bears are very excited to see what type of tricks he may have picked up with the master.  With nine errors and five passed balls last season, Ming does have some room for improvement.

Zippo and Scandal have become friends and were pleased that they both will be staying put.  They become close back in 2008 when they worked on a service project for the Bears’ community outreach program in Bakersfield.  There was a picnic after the charity event was over and Scandal showed up with a bucket of Zippo’s favorite type of fried chicken.  From then on, they have been very good friends.  The two sweated out this offseason together.  Neither knew for sure whether they would be staying with the Bears.  They now both realize how lucky they are; the Bears did not offer arbitration to any other players.

Bakersfield hasn’t made a long-term commitment to either player, so it is unclear how much longer Zippo and Scandal will be part of the Bears’ future.  What is clear is that, despite their weaknesses and limited potential, they are respected leaders and have made their mark on the franchise.  Now with their arbitration results, they will remain Bears at least one more year.