The only role that Morse could possibly fill is super sub but as a no-power, no-walk, no-speed guy that can’t adequately defend any position on the field, he doesn’t really fit that role either. Morse, like LaHair, is a redundant, AAA “just in case” insurance piece.

How much can a utility player negatively impact defense anyway? He’s a bad fielder…so are half of the supersubs out there.

And @ Jon he came out and everybody still forgot that he did steroids.

He shouldn’t have defied the rules, he was caught, he apologized, and he received a fair punishment for his mistake. It’s over now. And he’s STILL doing absolutely everything he can legally do to get himself a big league job…he’s playing all over the diamond in AAA trying to prove he has value as a flexible warm body on defense and a good solid hitter. To “lose all respect” because of the steroid thing in 2005 is more than a bit silly.

I used to view ever PED user as a complete disgrace to the game and felt that their numbers would mess everything up, but baseball fans will remember what went on over the past couple decades and future fans will hear of the Steroid Era just like we hear about the years when the mound was higher, or the Dead Ball Era when spitballs and other illegal pitchers were allowed, and so on.

I no longer have ill feelings to steroid users in baseball unless they blatantly lied about their usage. When Mike Morse was caught he came right out with a public apology and explanation. He didn’t have to– as a minor leaguer he could have just lowered his head and waited for people to forget, but he took responsibility and that is commendable.

People who act like steroid/PED use is the highest crime a ballplayer can commit need to get some perspective. Players have tried to get the “edge” since the game was played in sandlots in the 1860s. The only thing different today is technology. The methods at your disposal to try to get an edge and make it in a very difficult sport grow increasingly effective.

I’m speaking in terms of calling for him to fill a role on the big club that he simply can’t fill. Should have made that clearer, but obviously people should be able to be fans of whomever they please without justification.

I get that, and I have had my share of players that weren’t great but I loved for whatever reason. It’s the human element. Stats and metrics aside, people are drawn to the little guy that has built a career out of grit and hustle rather than relying on god given abilities. Willie Bloomquist, Rich Amaral, Charles Gipson, Joey Cora, etc. Morse isn’t quite in that category, but it’s easy to feel for the guy. He’s been in a position where he looked like he might be Seattle’s next shortstop before being supplanted by Yuniesky Betancourt of all people. He’s been close a few other times as well. He’s a likable guy and hits pretty well. I’m a fan, but it doesn’t mean I want him playing second base for the Mariners. I wish him the best, of course.

Why does it have to be justified? We all have players that catch our eye, and we haven’t a clue why. There’s always that player who we go, “Dang, I like this guy, and I can’t explain why…”

For some people, that may be Mike Morse…