Bucs express interest in OF Preston Wilson

[3-2 Changeup]

Preston Wilson doesn't appear to be any improvement offensively from Craig Wilson. I don't understand DL's thinking.

Bucs express interest in OF Preston Wilson
John Perrotto
01/02/2006


The holidays might be over but the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't finished shopping as they have targeted free agent Preston Wilson in their search for a right fielder, baseball sources said Sunday.

Wilson, 31, split last season between Colorado and Washington, hitting .260 with 25 homers and 90 RBIs in 139 games. However, he also struck out 148 times, which goes against new Pirates manager Jim Tracy's philosophy of having hitters who make consistent contact and avoid striking out.

Wilson was fourth in the major leagues in strikeouts behind Cincinnati's Adam Dunn (168), Seattle's Richie Sexson (167) and Philadelphia's Pat Burrell (160). Wilson struck out in 25.7 percent of his plate appearances, the worst mark among the major-leaguers who qualified for the batting title.

Wilson led the National League with 141 RBIs in 2003 for Colorado. However, he also had a NL-leading 187 strikeouts in 2000 while playing for Florida.

Wilson, the stepson of former New York Mets center fielder Mookie Wilson, has a .264 lifetime batting average with 171 homers, 591 RBIs and 110 steals in 948 games over eight seasons with the New York Mets (1998), Florida (1998-2002), Colorado (2003-05) and Washington (2005).

Wilson has played 868 games in center field, 41 in left and 19 in right during his career.

The Pirates, though, would want Wilson to play right field as they plan to go with Chris Duffy in center. However, Wilson would be insurance in center in case Duffy, who has played in only 39 major-league games, falters.

[ed500]

not too many of's left as free agents
Wilson is an option ,but an injury risk
another would be Richard Hidalgo-also injury risk
both have HR power,but strike out
would they be any better than Wilson?
also I heard they were interested in Sosa-i hope they don't sign him-Raul Mondesi all over again?
if they sign him it would be for ticket appeal only and would prove McClatchey just wants $$$$$$$,not wins

[00_Agent]

God, I hope they don't sign Sosa. Luckily, it doesn't look like that is going to happen.

As for Preston Wilson, I don't know why they would do that. It's another move to me that really doesn't change much, all it does is spend money. Why don't they hold onto this money and give it to some of the players we already have if this is the alternative?

Craig would most likely hit for higher average, and more power. He is not as good on defense, but he's not bad.

00

[3-2 Changeup]

With the pending signing of Jeromy Burnitz, Craig will likely split time in RF and 1B, or, be traded to an AL team with a pitcher.

[Greymire]

I feel Wilson would be more of an upgrade than Burnitz, and Burnitz will K a ton as well. Either way, I feel this marks the end of Craig Wilson with the Bucco's. They will not keep himn and Jody Garut. Garut has more potential upside if healthy.


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06003/631666.stm

[3-2 Changeup]

According to the AP story I just posted in the Burnitz thread, Craig will likely wind up with about $4M through arbitration. The story also questions whether the Pirates would be interested in paying that much to a part-time player.

As for Gerut, he is also a LH batter I believe, which leaves the Bucs a little thin on the RH side of the plate in the OF.

[Greymire]

Yes, I never thought of the left handed angle. They have loaded up on left handed hitters (which sort of makes sense with the short left field fence). Witht he exception of Casey, the entire infield (bench included) hits right handed, so I am not sure if the fact Jody hits left will make a differnence excpet perhaps from the power angle. I just see Craig as too expensive and too risky to hang on to now. If he were going to platoon, then that would be one thing. I expect one or both to be traded soon.