Haines gets a major lift from Blue Jays

Cape Girardeau native Talley Haines took a big step toward finally reaching his goal of pitching in the major leagues on Monday when Toronto picked the right-handed reliever from the Tampa Bay organization in the Rule 5 Draft at the Baseball Winter Meetings in New Orleans.

Haines, a 1995 Central High School graduate who pitched collegiately at both Southeast Missouri State University and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.), was taken by the Devil Rays in the 25th round of the 1998 amateur draft.

Haines has spent the past six seasons in the Tampa Bay organization, including the last three at Triple-A Durham. Primarily working in middle relief this year, Haines was 5-3 with two saves and a 2.53 earned-run average. He allowed 57 hits in 67 2/3 innings, struck out 64 and walked 11.

But Haines, despite putting up impressive numbers throughout his minor-league career, was frustrated by never getting a chance to perform for the Devil Rays. With Toronto, he should receive a solid opportunity to pitch for the Blue Jays next year.

"I'm pretty fired up," Haines said. "It's definitely a good sign. I still have to perform, but it's something that will help me get closer. They'll definitely give me a shot in spring training."

Players are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft if they are not on a team's 40-man roster and have been in professional baseball for three seasons. The Blue Jays paid $50,000 for the right to draft Haines and must keep him on the 25-man Major League roster for the entire 2004 season or offer him back to the Devil Rays for $25,000.

"We thought maybe he had a chance to pitch in the middle of our bullpen," said Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "He's got a pretty good track record the last few years."

Added Haines, "It's been frustrating the last few years. Now I definitely feel like somebody is interested and hopefully I can take advantage of it."