Jays interested in Craig Wilson

[VanCitySportsGuy]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1136675412438&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064

I find it hard to believe the Pirates aren't interested in trading him. He's in the doghouse and he's set to make around 4 million as a backup. The Pirates would be foolish to hang on to him if they can get value in return.

I know the Pirates called the Jays about Alex Rios during the winter meetings. The Jays wanted Paul Maholm and that pretty much killed the trade talks.

Rios is going to be making near min. wage next season. A Rios for Wilson swap would make a lot of sense for both clubs.

Heck I'll go out on a limb right now and say Rios will be traded for Wilson within the next month.

[SPTO]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

I think i've heard nice things about Wilson from some of the Pirates fans here so hopefully if he comes to the Jays that he performs well.

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

Wilson is a decent backup for both RF and first base, so I think that's why the Pirates are wanting to hold on to him. Right now, they want to see what they have in their tandem of Jeromy Burnitz and Jody Gerut before they unload Craig Wilson.

Another thing that might be stalling trade talks is the fact that Wilson hurt his hand twice last season. With those kinds of injuries, it's hard to see how much strength will return following surgery. I'd be very wary of picking up a player like Wilson (who is almost all bat, mediocre glove) before I was sure he could hit like he could before the injury.

[rsox]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

They want to keep Wilson for the simple fact that without him they have zero offensive punch off the bench. Gerut may be a non-factor off the bench becuse if Chris Duffy struggles than Gerut would likely take over in CF. I like the moves the Pirates have made this offseason, but they really have yet to adress their bench woes.

[samjjones]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=970081593064

I find it hard to believe the Pirates aren't interested in trading him. He's in the doghouse and he's set to make around 4 million as a backup. The Pirates would be foolish to hang on to him if they can get value in return.

I know the Pirates called the Jays about Alex Rios during the winter meetings. The Jays wanted Paul Maholm and that pretty much killed the trade talks.

Rios is going to be making near min. wage next season. A Rios for Wilson swap would make a lot of sense for both clubs.

Heck I'll go out on a limb right now and say Rios will be traded for Wilson within the next month.

This would be a good trade for both teams. Rios can play CF in Pittsburgh (does anybody really think Chris Duffy is the answer there?), and Wilson can platoon with Frank Catalanotto in LF/RF.

[mjb2124]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

does anybody really think Chris Duffy is the answer there?

Yes. He's always been one of the higher level prospects for the Pirates. He was excellent in CF last year and throughout his minor league career. He's always been an above average defensive player with a strong, accurate arm who covers a ton of ground. He's also an above average baserunner with exceptional speed. The biggest surprise was how well he hit last year.

Personally, I don't like this trade for the Pirates. Why trade a guy in Craig Wilson who could return to 2004 form and supply a ton of power, for an unproven guy like Rios? Especially when the Pirates aren't handcuffed for money right now.

[Vince]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

Yes. He's always been one of the higher level prospects for the Pirates. He was excellent in CF last year and throughout his minor league career. He's always been an above average defensive player with a strong, accurate arm who covers a ton of ground. He's also an above average baserunner with exceptional speed. The biggest surprise was how well he hit last year.

Personally, I don't like this trade for the Pirates. Why trade a guy in Craig Wilson who could return to 2004 form and supply a ton of power, for an unproven guy like Rios? Especially when the Pirates aren't handcuffed for money right now.

You would know more than me, but don't the Pirates have a lack of good young hitting? Rios can come there and he has a lot of upside even at 24 and he's a toolsy player who can a lot of things. I think it would be a good deal for CW.

[mjb2124]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

You would know more than me, but don't the Pirates have a lack of good young hitting? Rios can come there and he has a lot of upside even at 24 and he's a toolsy player who can a lot of things. I think it would be a good deal for CW.

Not really. Most of the future of the team came up the end of last year. Aside from the 3 guys they got this year (Burnitz, Casey and Randa), the rest of them are young. I think they were the youngest team in MLB the end of last year:

C Ryan Doumit - 24
1B Sean Casey - 31 (1B of the future Brad Eldred is 25)
2B Jose Castillo - 24
SS Jack Wilson - 28
3B Joe Randa - 36 (3B of the future Jose Bautista 25)
LF Jason Bay - 27
CF Chris Duffy - 25
RF Jeromy Burnitz - 36 (Future is up in the air. Nate Mclouth (24) might be the guy.)

Eldred and Bautista look to be good. They both need more seasoning though. Bautista needs to work on fielding and Eldred needs to work on strike zone judgement. Eldred can mash (he's 6'5 270), but he K's way too much right now.

[rsox]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

The future of the Pirates is in the arms of their young pitching. Oliver Perez, Zack Duke, Paul Maholm, Sean Burnett, John Van Benschoten, those guys are the franchise.

[mjb2124]

Re: Jays interested in Craig Wilson

The future of the Pirates is in the arms of their young pitching. Oliver Perez, Zack Duke, Paul Maholm, Sean Burnett, John Van Benschoten, those guys are the franchise.

Somehow I forgot to mention the pitchers. D'oh....

Duke - 22
Perez - 24
Maholm - 23
Burnett - 23
JVB - 25
Brian Bullington - 25
Tom Gorzelanny - 23
Ian Snell - 24

There are a few others, but I think these guys are the best of the bunch.