CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Reggie Taylor is hardly the first professional baseball player to value the New York market. Since the days of manual scoreboards and five-cent hot dogs, the Big Apple represents a chance for an individual to increase his visibility.

But while the Atlantic League doesn’t provide the same forum as major league facilities, Taylor said his decision to sign with the Ducks for the stretch drive was based on gaining more exposure. The former Cincinnati Red suited up for the Lancaster Barnstormers last season and reportedly verbally committed to rejoining the club when the Mexican League concluded last month.

Instead of returning to Pennsylvania, Taylor joined the Ducks and former Reds teammates Joe Valentine and Danny Graves. There are no official rules that prevent backing out of a verbal agreement, though one Lancaster media outlet said the Ducks violated an unwritten rule.

Regardless of any alleged ethical violations, the Barnstormers were compensated when the Ducks sent them Dionys Cesar in a rare in-season trade. Taylor, who batted .302 playing for Lancaster in 2006, provides manager Dave LaPoint with a new everyday centerfielder. He also has been used as the primary leadoff hitter, providing a suitable replacement for the suspended Jose Offerman.

“I liked what direction they were going,” Taylor said inside the dressing room Tuesday. “They get more exposure. I felt like I kind of got lost in Lancaster. It’s a new challenge for me. I just want to see where it goes.”

LaPoint said giving up Cesar for Taylor was an easy decision. The move brought a player with 260 games of big league experience to Suffolk County. The 30-year-old outfielder recorded a .395 on-base percentage last year and is just two seasons removed from his last MLB stint, which came with Tampa Bay.

“We didn’t actively go out and search him. His agent gave us a call,” LaPoint said. “Once his name was in the mix…in my opinion, he was the MVP of the league last year. Anytime you get a guy like that, you have to take him. To get Reggie, we were willing to give up a lot.”

Taylor, a former first round draft pick of the Phillies (1995), said joining a lineup with established veterans like Carl Everett and Edgardo Alfonzo influenced his decision to join the Ducks. His arrival during last week’s nine-game road trip helped his new team build a five- game lead over Newark in the North Division after last night’s 9-2 win over the Road Warriors.

“I played three years with Danny. I’ve played against guys like Everett,” said Taylor, who batted .467 with two home runs in first seven games. “It was just like old times when I stepped into the clubhouse. It felt like spring training all over again.”

Just last week, Mel Stocker became the fifth Duck to make it back to the game’s top level. Stocker was called-up the Milwaukee Brewers, serving as another example of the independent minor league helping to revive a career. Taylor, who played with the Phillies, Reds, and Devil Rays over parts of five seasons, said returning to the United States makes it easier to get noticed by scouts.

“The Atlantic League’s a good place to come and get exposure on the East Coast,” he said. “I just like playing. I don’t put extra pressure on myself. If it happens [getting picked up], it happens. I just turned 30. I feel like I have a lot of baseball left in me.

“Who knows? A door might open up in organized ball or in Japan. That’s my goal.”

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