John

Olerud

Olerud has started the last two games despite being at what manager Bob Melvin called ''less than 80 percent.’'

Olerud actually predicted on Tuesday that it was ''just a matter of time before the hits start coming.’' This is a good reminder that it’s still early enough for hitters to change their stats from mediocre to good in a short amount of time.

The team isn’t certain Olerud would be ready for Opening Day. He’s just a fallback option for the Mets anyway.

When Olerud signed a two-year deal with the Mariners prior to last year, he said it would probably be his last contract. He’s now planning to return in 2005, though. “Now that I’m here, I’m thinking I’ll play some more,” he said yesterday. “It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about and something I’ve been praying a lot about.” If Olerud stays with Seattle, then Scott Spiezio would likely remain at third base nexy year.

Other ideas include batting Randy Winn 9th to get speed on in front of Ichiro and batting Winn leadoff with Ichiro No. 3.

He should be back in the Mariners’ starting lineup tonight against Pirates’ right-hander Ryan Vogelsong

What for? Don’t the Red Sox have enough of a log jam with Kevin Millar, Mark Bellhorn, Pokey Reese, Kevin Youkilis and Bill Mueller? Olerud, who is in the last year of a contract that pays him $7.7 million per season, seems to be well past his prime, and would not be much help to the playoff hopeful Red Sox.

There have been no takers for Olerud in trade talks, and the Mariners want to take a look at minor-leauge cult hero Bucky Jacobsen. Olerud, who has been a major disappointment this season hitting just .245 and driving in only 22 runs, could resurface with the Giants. San Francisco tried to acquire him earlier in the season, but Olerud apparently would not agree to waive his no-trade clause to go there. Perhaps he may now feel differently. Of course, the 35-year-old first baseman may choose to retire, something he has allegedly thought about the past few months.

The Mariners may have worked out a trade invloving Olerud, but the 35-year-old first baseman will only agree to a trade under the right circumstances. The deal was allegedly not with the Red Sox.

Olerud shouldn’t start over Tony Clark, but he could be useful playing against the occasional right-hander. He’s probably not going to be worth owning in AL-only leagues.