This past week’s original content from the MLBTR staff:
- MLBTR contributor Dan Lumpkin spoke with Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte, Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera, former major league second baseman Dan Uggla and the agent for Royals reliever Joakim Soria regarding the Rule 5 draft. All four players improbably turned into successful major leaguers after being Rule 5 selections, and both Inciarte and Herrera – two past Phillies picks – signed lucrative extensions earlier this winter. With that in mind, Herrera is “very grateful and very humble for the Rule 5 draft.”
- This year’s free agent class is dwindling as the spring approaches, though there are still some notable veterans available. That led Jeff Todd to ask readers which remaining free agent will sign the most lucrative contract this month. The plurality of voters expect that honor to go to catcher Matt Wieters.
- The Rangers lack clear solutions at first base and designated hitter, so I polled readers on whether they’ll add someone like Mike Napoli or Chris Carter prior to the season. The majority of voters believe the club will pick up another hitter.
Top Bluejays picks in my opinion up until 2012 (names and comments from Robert Steele of jaysjournal):
1977 Willie Upshaw 1B/OF – A solid first ever pick in the Rule 5, Willie Upshaw became the Jays regular first baseman in the early 80s. His best season was in 1983 where he hit .306 with 27 home runs
1980 George Bell OF – Here’s proof that these drafts matter. George Bell went from Rule 5 selection taken from the Phillies, to 1987 AL MVP, to the Level of Excellence. It’s difficult to imagine the early Jays years without George Bell included.
1983 Kelly Gruber INF – Kelly Gruber might be the biggest Blue Jay fan-favourite in history, and if not for the Rule 5 selection, there would be no 1992 World Series triple play. (Well, sort of). A pick that helps you win a World Series is about as good as you can do
1984 Manuel Lee INF – Manny Lee may not have been at the same Hall of Fame level caliber as Roberto Alomar, but he was still an important part of that middle infield during the early 90s. Lee is another Rule 5 champion.
Biagini was GREAT last year