Wednesday, December 03, 2003
RULE 5 STILL SUCKS
Don't be fooled by the winter ball numbers
When last seen, infielder Rule 5 was spending more time in the Mariners dugout than on the field.
But to see him performing so well with the Lara Cardenales in the Venezuela Winter League makes you understand why the Mariners selected him in the Rule 5 draft nearly two years ago.
No, I don't understand this. But at least he's doing better than Willie Bloomquist as far as winter ball goes.
The switch-hitting infielder had a .349 batting average after his first 83 at-bats, the seventh-highest mark in the league.
"Rule 5 is having a good winter down there and hopefully that will continue and we'll see similar results next year," said Benny Looper, the Mariners vice president of player development.
Rule 5, who will be 25 years old on Feb. 15, appeared in 12 games for the Mariners last season, mostly as a pinch runner. He went 1-for-5 and stole two bases in limited duty during the final month of the season.
Most of Rule 5's season was spent at Double-A San Antonio (Texas League) where he batted .260 (91-for-350), with one home run, 40 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 35 attempts.
And in 2004, he should be at Triple-A Tacoma. He should be nowhere near the Mariners big league roster.
The Mariners selected Rule 5 off the Pirates' roster prior to the 2002 season for the $50,000 Rule 5 draft price and he spent virtually the entire season as the 25th player on the roster. Then general manager Pat Gillick was unsuccessful working out a deal that would have enabled the Mariners to send Rule 5 to the minor leagues.
Instead, he played little, appearing in 62 games but getting just 23 at-bats.
Forget the Jeff Cirillo Bust-O-Rama. The Rule 5 acquisition was Pat Gillick's worst move as general manager of the Mariners. And if he was really the "second best general manager ever", he would have never picked up Rule 5. Since he did, he should have found a way to get rid of him. But he didn't.
Thanks to Rule 5, Lou Piniella's final season in Seattle was marred by the fact that he had to use a 24-man roster.
Rule 5 will report to Spring Training with the Mariners and battle for a backup spot on the roster.
"It's hard to say what our club will look like going into camp," Looper said. "We may put him in the outfield some. It all depends on the needs of the ballclub."
Hell, with the Mariners being who they are, I could see Rule 5 starting at shortstop Opening Day 2004. But thank god that won't happen, since Miguel Tejada will (should) be there for the M's.
The only way Rule 5 should be allowed into Safeco Field in 2004 is if the guy who plays Captain Plastic comes down with the flu and can't come to work for a game or two. Then call up Rule 5 from Tacoma to wear the Captain Plastic uniform.
Captain Plastic is trash.
And so is Rule 5.
FIRE UP THE MIGGY HOT STOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When last seen, infielder Rule 5 was spending more time in the Mariners dugout than on the field.
But to see him performing so well with the Lara Cardenales in the Venezuela Winter League makes you understand why the Mariners selected him in the Rule 5 draft nearly two years ago.
No, I don't understand this. But at least he's doing better than Willie Bloomquist as far as winter ball goes.
The switch-hitting infielder had a .349 batting average after his first 83 at-bats, the seventh-highest mark in the league.
"Rule 5 is having a good winter down there and hopefully that will continue and we'll see similar results next year," said Benny Looper, the Mariners vice president of player development.
Rule 5, who will be 25 years old on Feb. 15, appeared in 12 games for the Mariners last season, mostly as a pinch runner. He went 1-for-5 and stole two bases in limited duty during the final month of the season.
Most of Rule 5's season was spent at Double-A San Antonio (Texas League) where he batted .260 (91-for-350), with one home run, 40 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 35 attempts.
And in 2004, he should be at Triple-A Tacoma. He should be nowhere near the Mariners big league roster.
The Mariners selected Rule 5 off the Pirates' roster prior to the 2002 season for the $50,000 Rule 5 draft price and he spent virtually the entire season as the 25th player on the roster. Then general manager Pat Gillick was unsuccessful working out a deal that would have enabled the Mariners to send Rule 5 to the minor leagues.
Instead, he played little, appearing in 62 games but getting just 23 at-bats.
Forget the Jeff Cirillo Bust-O-Rama. The Rule 5 acquisition was Pat Gillick's worst move as general manager of the Mariners. And if he was really the "second best general manager ever", he would have never picked up Rule 5. Since he did, he should have found a way to get rid of him. But he didn't.
Thanks to Rule 5, Lou Piniella's final season in Seattle was marred by the fact that he had to use a 24-man roster.
Rule 5 will report to Spring Training with the Mariners and battle for a backup spot on the roster.
"It's hard to say what our club will look like going into camp," Looper said. "We may put him in the outfield some. It all depends on the needs of the ballclub."
Hell, with the Mariners being who they are, I could see Rule 5 starting at shortstop Opening Day 2004. But thank god that won't happen, since Miguel Tejada will (should) be there for the M's.
The only way Rule 5 should be allowed into Safeco Field in 2004 is if the guy who plays Captain Plastic comes down with the flu and can't come to work for a game or two. Then call up Rule 5 from Tacoma to wear the Captain Plastic uniform.
Captain Plastic is trash.
And so is Rule 5.
FIRE UP THE MIGGY HOT STOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/ Click for main page
