Previously on this site we have questioned why any team would want to acquire Pirates’ shortstop Jack Wilson (no offense to him). Now comes word that at least one team is in on him – the Blue Jays. But Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes a deal couldn’t be reached by the July deadline because the money issues could get tricky.
Wilson makes $6.5MM in ’08, $7.25MM in ’09, and a $0.6MM buyout for ’10. He can block trades to six teams each season. Kovacevic thinks a deal would most likely occur in the offseason, as Wilson might not pass through waivers in August. Still, no harm in trying it if you’re Dave Littlefield. Personally I’d be surprised if any team would risk having that contract dumped on them in its entirety. Bucco Blog thinks Wilson is a lock to be traded.
Wilson has hit .252/.305/.347, pretty much in line with his career numbers. Blue Jays’ shortstops have hit .233/.272/.314 this year (mostly Royce Clayton and John McDonald). So Wilson is an upgrade, but that’s only because shortstop has been such a ridiculous black hole for Toronto. You do have to credit Wilson’s defense, among the best in the game at the position by one metric.
J.P. Ricciardi’s options this winter: Omar Vizquel, David Eckstein, and probably Juan Uribe and Cesar Izturis. Technically you could include Kaz Matsui and Alex Rodriguez as other free agents who can play short.
