Sleeper Watch

It wasn’t a good year for Preston Wilson. Coming off a phenomenal 2003 campaign, Colorado’s center fielder saw his season derailed in April, when damage in his left knee forced him to undergo surgery. Two months and just six home runs later, his season ended as it had begun, on the operating table. A second knee surgery put an early end to an entirely forgettable season.

As if all that weren’t enough bad news, Wilson’s name has been mentioned in connection with trade rumors surrounding Sammy Sosa, another slugger coming off a somewhat disappointing campaign. Were Wilson to be dealt away from Coors Field, his value would take another huge hit. In 2003, he drove in more than one runner per game at home, with an impressive .960 OPS. Away from the thin air of Denver, his OPS dipped to .795.

No doubt about it, Preston Wilson’s stock is in the cellar. Could be a good time to buy low…

Make no mistake, Wilson is a very risky player for the 2005 season. He came off the 60-day disabled list in early November, but whether his knee will allow him to return to his former level of play remains to be seen. And as with practically all Rockies hitters, if he packs his bag for a different home field, all bets are off.

Yet the rewards for taking a flyer on Wilson could be considerable. Only a year ago, Wilson was one of the fifteen best fantasy hitters, with a 5×5 value of $27. His 141 RBI led the senior circuit, and with 94 runs, 36 round-trippers, 14 steals and an average of .282, he was one of the game’s top all-around threats.

Can he approach those numbers again this year? Will he remain in Colorado? Will he even be on the field, or will his knee sideline him again? It’s too early to answer any of those questions, but if the price is right, Preston Wilson makes for an intriguing gamble.