Scott

Spiezio

Spiezio had actually started to hit a little bit (7-for-14 with 5 RBIs) over the past week and then injured his neck and back on Friday night. It has been a lost season for Spiezio and his owners.

''I used to eat ice cream every night, pizza five, six times a week,’' Spiezio said. ''I used to have a Krispy Kreme every morning when I got here.’' It’s good to see a player work hard after a horrible season, but unless Adrian Beltre or Richie Sexson gets injured, Spiezio is only looking at a few at-bats a week in between donuts.

It doesn’t appear that the Angels are interested in re-signing Spiezio, who will cease being an option once the Dec. 7 arbitration deadline passes. Travis Lee, Rafael Palmeiro and Robert Fick are among the candidates to replace Spiezio at first base. As for Korean first baseman Seung-Yeop Lee, it seems that if he’s going to sign with a Southern California-based team, it will be the Dodgers.

“If I felt like this tomorrow, I wouldn’t play,” Spiezio said. “It’s pretty frustrating right now. I hope something miraculous happens in the next 24 hours.” If Spiezio goes on the DL, both Willie Bloomquist and Ramon Santiago would make the team. Bloomquist would probably take over as the regular third baseman. Because Speizio played in a game Saturday, he wouldn’t be eligible to come off the DL until April 13.

$9 million for Spiezio? The Mariners would probably play him at third base in 2004 and then perhaps move him to first base to replace John Olerud in 2005.

Seattle manager Bob Melvin said he has a date in mind when he can put Spiezio into the lineup but would not divulge it.

Spiezio is on the DL with a back injury and eligible to return any day. “I’d like to play in a major-league game as soon as possible,” he said. “I feel great. I even ran bases today, got a triple on one. I had no pain, no problems. I’m good to go.” He’ll join Single-A Inland Empire for a rehab appearance first.

“Hopefully, he’ll have seen his gamut of doctors,” Melvin said, “and we’ll be able to diagnosis exactly what it is.” If he’s out an extended period, Jolbert Cabrera could have decent value.

The hope is that today’s examination, his third by a back specialist, will result in a different prognosis.

If Spiezio isn’t able to secure regular playing time elsewhere, the Cubs could be attractive option for him, as he’d be the team’s primary backup at both the infield and the outfield corners.