Brad Wilkerson Rumors

Brad Wilkerson Retires

Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal writes that Brad Wilkerson has decided to retire after an eight-year Major League career. Wilkerson, 31, signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox this winter to compete for a job as a backup outfielder/first baseman after Mark Kotsay underwent surgery. He struggled through Spring Training, however, hitting below .200 and striking out in nearly fifty percent of his at-bats. He was assigned to AAA to begin the season, and accepted his assignment. After his second game in AAA-Pawtucket, he informed manager Ron Johnson that he no longer had the fire and that his...   Continue Reading

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Wilkerson Leaves Red Sox

Rob Bradford reports that Terry Francona confirmed Brad Wilkerson's departure from the Red Sox earlier this morning. Wilkerson, 31, was in camp on a minor-league deal, competing for the job of the fifth outfielder and backup first baseman. His contract allowed him to opt-out prior to April 1, which he elected to do after hitting just .119 through 42 ABs, with 18 strikeouts. The position battle will now likely come down to Chris Carter and Jeff Bailey, both of whom are having strong a strong Spring Training, hitting .350 and .357, respectively.   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Marte, Wilkerson, Bowden

Links for Wednesday as we enter the short post-Manny phase of the offseason... RotoAuthority has 18 undrafted players to watch for mixed leagues. WEEI's Rob Bradford talked to Bill Lajoie, who was behind Boston's acquisition of Andy Marte while Theo Epstein was on hiatus. Lajoie admitted he acquired Marte with the intent of flipping him. SI.com's Melissa Segura writes about fraud involving Dominican prospects. Nothing cooking yet with the Red Sox and Jason Bay, says Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe. Jorge Says No! says shortstops Bobby Crosby and Khalil Greene are at the crossroads of their careers. WEEI's Alex...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Rumors: Lugo, Bay, Varitek, Beckett

The latest on the Red Sox, courtesy of WEEI's Alex Speier. Julio Lugo says he's in the best shape of his career. The $9MM shortstop won't be happy if he's on the bench this year. Speier believes he'll ask for a trade if he doesn't win the competition with Jed Lowrie. Lugo was following the Tigers trade rumors earlier this winter. Jason Bay remains open to an extension, but admitted "it's not the end-all, be-all." Bay will be part of the 2009-10 free agent class if the Sox don't lock him up. According to the AP, catcher Jason Varitek spoke...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Red Sox Non-Roster Invitees

Some Odds and Ends around the league: In a good piece by Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, Nats GM Jim Bowden says Stephen Strasburg is "as good a pitcher as we've seen in the draft in 10 or 15 years." He could be in the rotation as soon as September. Amusingly, Strasburg's mother described Scott Boras, who is advising the phenom, as a "Rottweiler." WEEI's Alex Speier lists the Red Sox 19 non-roster invitees. 13 of them have Major League experience. Brad Wilkerson is also expected to be present. David Lennon of Newsday.com reports that Omar Minaya has achieved...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox To Sign Brad Wilkerson

TUESDAY, 2:36pm: WEEI's Alex Speier says the Wilkerson deal is done pending a physical. He could earn as much as $2.5MM if he hits all his incentives (Tony Massarotti says $1.5MM). MONDAY, 11:03pm: MLBTR has learned tonight that the Red Sox have signed outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a minor league deal with roster and playing time incentives. Wilkerson, 31, hit .220/.308/.326 in 309 plate appearances for the Mariners and Blue Jays in 2008. The Ms signed Wilkerson last year for $3MM but designated him for assignment before May.   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Jays, Mets, Red Sox, Nats, Yankees

On this date 32 years ago, commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended Braves owner Ted Turner for one year for tampering. Turner had announced publicly that the Braves would sign free agent-to-be Gary Matthews. Unfortunately, 30 years later, nobody was disciplined when the Angels signed free agent Gary Matthews Jr. to a $50MM contract. In the first two years of the deal, Matthews has been paid $15MM and his play has been worth -$600K (yes, that is negative) according to Fangraphs. With several big free agents still looking for new teams, will any of them be the next Matthews Jr? Only time...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Wells, Griffey, Olney, Tavarez, Edmonds

A lot of links today, so let's get to what is being said about some trade and signing possibilities in the Blogosphere... The Darth Boss George Brigade wants Hank Steinbrenner to sign David Wells to prove that Hank is indeed his father's son. River Ave. Blues says the Yankees are too smart to sign Wells and then goes on to list about 87 pitchers that should be given a shot in the Highlanders' rotation before Wells. Redlegs Rant feels that Ken Griffey Jr. is behind the recent stories that speculate on him being traded. Mariners Central speculates on some of...   Continue Reading

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Jays Targeting Wilkerson

The rumblings have become something more - Jeff Blair says the Blue Jays are "zeroed in on signing" outfielder Brad Wilkerson. The Jays had been mulling Jason Michaels previously, but he went to the Pirates. The Jays are looking for someone who can hit southpaws. Wilkerson, a left-handed hitter, handled 'em in '07 and '05, flailed against them in '06. The Mariners designated him after 68 plate appearances of a .232/.348/.304 line.   Continue Reading

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With Moss Out, Wilkerson Could Be An Option For Red Sox

As Nat mentioned in an earlier post today, the Red Sox are suddenly having to figure out how to replace Brandon Moss. And in an update via the Extra Bases blog, Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo brings light to Brad Wilkerson's situation. Wilkerson was waived by the Mariners last week, and has since cleared waivers. He has not given his agent, Scott Boras, any indication of his plans. Boras, however, confirmed that the Red Sox were interested in Wilkerson this off-season. Cafardo suggests that if they're looking for a long-term answer to their sudden roster opening, Wilkerson could be an...   Continue Reading

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