Move over Jim Edmonds, you aren't the only former Cardinals' outfielder looking to make a comeback. ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that Preston Wilson is looking for an invitation to Spring Training now that the knee troubles that forced him from the game in the first place are behind him.
Wilson last played in the big leagues back in 2007, when he hit just .219/.265/.313 in 68 plate appearances with St. Louis. He appeared in 48 games last season with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, hitting .302/.344/.474 while missing time with a broken eye socket (hit by a pitch) and a separated shoulder (suffered on a slide).
The 35-year-old outfielder is a career .264/.329/.468 hitter in the Majors, and was known for his prodigious strikeout totals (1,085 K in 4,436 PA). The Yankees are rumored to be looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder, and if Wilson is only looking for a Spring Training invite, what's the harm?
I agree, What’s to lose if you give him a spring training invite. The Tigers could be a fit since they are without a DH.
Yikes!
Who’s next…
Mookie?
Willie?
Carney?
I here stan Musial is staging a comeback too. Let’s give him a spring training invite while were at it.
He’d still be better than Thurston was last year.
The harm is you could be wasting a spring training invite.
is there a limit of invites to spring training?
No. But there’s only so many ST at-bats and innings to go around.
Then cut him if he can’t do it?
Right. As long as they don’t sign him to a contract for the season and just invite him to ST, there’s no consequences. No one is guaranteeing Wilson anything at this point.
Knocks out a legtimate look at a youngster.
Yet the Yankees can bring Billy Crystal in for a few at bats.
I know, so few at bats that Billy Crystal only got one at bat for the Yanks during spring training
lou brock lit it up in the independent leagues last year. could be worth a flier.
Broken eye socket? Ouch…
That was Juan Encarnacion, not Preston Wilson.
It was both players. Preston Wilson hurt his last year in the independent league.
Man those pitchers in the independent league can’t be very good if they missed the strikezone by the much and broke his eye socket. Or maybe it was Vicente padilla pitching and just wanted to hit him for fun.
I’d rather have Ron Gant
Wow, lots of comebacks eh?
Anyone have Larry Walker or Dante Bichette’s phone #’s?
also, if larry walker and reggie sanders don’t jump on this train soon, its gonna leave the station without them.
Marlins reunion?
Preston Wilson? Really?
I heard Ruben Sierra is looking for a gig also.
Pirates should go after him
Paul Lo Duca, Jim Edmonds, Mark Grudzielanek, Preston Wilson….Ray Durham, is your .380 OBP in 2008 looking to make a comeback as well?
You are definitely right about Durham. I think he was a little insulted and confused when no one wanted to sign him last year. He is a good 2b who can hit.
Bad knees, strikes out a lot. Yankees don’t have openings for that. Try the Red Sox.
I heard that Raul Mondesi, Todd Hollingsworth, and Ellis Burks are coming back. And just for kicks, the new Braves 1B will be Julio Franco next year.
well, hey, at least we’d have someone who’s played 1B longer than 20 minutes…
I have season tickets to the Ducks and have been watching Wilson play for the past few seasons. He can definitely still rake. His speed isn’t really there, but I don’t think he would have an issue making a comback considering his hitting ability. Definitely give him a chance. Two other players that teams should take a look at are Charlton Jimerson (a true 5 tool 30-30 man…someone please please please) and Ray Navarrete (a great utility guy who can hit). Both of those guys deserve an invite to a major league camp. I actually think Jimerson could make it into a starting lineup.
Anyone on the Newark Bears could play in the major leagues. Sandy Madera, Carl Everett, Rob Mackowiak, Jacque Jones, Jay Gibbons. Although he isn’t on the bears, I would like to see Craig Monroe get another go at it too. He had an incredible spring training last year, was trying to get into the starting lineup, earned it, and he remained on the bench until he was released. I don’t get it.
Is this a joke?
These players should just stay retired so they don’t ruin their pride.
Where’s Juan Encarnacion when you need him?
I think he is still trying to get his vision back after the horrific foul ball he took to his face while in the on-deck circle back in ’07.
Broken eye socket? ouch! don’t ever want to know what that feels like.
Maybe he can play for the Pirates if he still has his eyepatch! Oh God, I think I broke a rib! Still laughing!………..
Isn’t this the time of year when Julio Franco comes back?
take a look at the Mets OF and tell me why he isn’t worth an invite