Craig Wilson: Anaheim bound?

[The Big Train]

By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 22, 2006


• The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are believed to be interested in acquiring first baseman/outfielder Craig Wilson. Earlier this month, Wilson met with manager Jim Tracy and general manager Dave Littlefield. In that meeting, Wilson requested a trade. If the Pirates do not trade Wilson, they run the risk of losing him as a free agent in the offseason. The Angels entered yesterday trailing Oakland and Texas by seven games in the AL West. The Angels' team batting average and home-run totals rank near the bottom of the American League. Explaining their interest in Wilson, who makes his home in Southern California, the Angels have tried seven different players at first base in 2006. Those players had combined to bat .222 with five home runs and 23 RBI. In return for Wilson, the Pirates are believed to be asking teams for a major-league ready prospect who is not arbitration-eligible.

[johnsamo]

DOn't like the average but the obp is great and does well in rbis for a weak team.... Problem is, we just need a stopgap till Morales or Kotchman develops....I wouldn't want to give up Santana or Escobar for that. I wonder if the Pirates would take Kotchman and some younger prospect... not the top tier ones about to come up of course. If they're going to lose Wilson to FA anyway, might as well get something.

[red_foot]

Nah, they wouldn't get him unless they could resign him. He fits at first, or DH and OF if they really had to. How can you say that the Angel's don't have room for him. He's a better more polished hitter than everyone in the lineup except for Vlad and Chone. They would HAVE to find room for him. Kotchman can retire, that guys sucks. I watched him all year and he has never done a single thing worth mentioning except for making base running mistakes and hitting long foul balls. I will go on record now saying that Kotchman will never be worh a 1b spot on a major league roster. He'll be a less talented Doug Mientkiewicz.

[johnsamo]

The BIGGEST needs are a on outfielder that's a good hitter and a great fielder... a righty platoon 3b to go with McPherson, and to bring Kendrick up... First base, my hunch is Morales is going to get better fast.