Add new comment

James Jones = Herb Washington in 1974, but even better. Washington was used almost exclusively as a PR for the Catfish Hunter, Vida Blue, Reggie Jackson, Bert Campaneris Oakland A's. He would be inserted as a pinch runner late in close games. Everyone knew what he was there to do, steal bases and score decisive runs. But even though pitchers and catchers were primed and ready for his attempts, were gunning for him, he stole 29 bases in 92 games, and his feats were celebrated. But even Washington was caught 16 times.
James Jones as of today has played in...92 games (admittedly most as a starter). He's stolen...25 bases. But he's only been caught one time.
He is a VERY important weapon in the pennant stretch and the postseason. He will be thrown out occasionally when it really hurts, more than he has been so far, but imagine having Jones pinch run for, say, Kendrys Morales in the 9th inning of the one-game wild card playoff with the score tied. With the season on the line, Jones could represent the decisive edge for a Seattle entry into a full playoff series. Conjecture, sure, but not far-fetched.