Detroit Free Press: Jack Wilson Talks "Ongoing"

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 2, 2008 1:24 PM EST

The Tigers are in the midst of their search for [2008 shortstop Edgar] Renteria's successor. Detroit is involved in "ongoing" discussions with the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding shortstop Jack Wilson, according to one industry official familiar with the talks.

The teams have not yet exchanged concrete trade proposals, the official said, but there appears to be genuine interest on both sides.

The Tigers have declined to offer arbitration to Renteria, which comes as no surprise given the way he played last year.

The Tigers' farm system is, unfortunately, pretty rough, due in part to the trades for Renteria and Miguel Cabrera last offseason. They do have a couple of shortstop prospects in Danny Worth and Cale Iorg, but I don't see either of those guys as good bets to be starters in the majors. (Again, I don't think the Pirates need to get a shortstop here, but it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to get one.) Their best bet in a trade with the Tigers might be to try to grab a live arm or two, but the starting pitching prospects who are posting the most interesting numbers (Jon Kibler and maybe Duane Below) are apparently doing so more with polish than with stuff. (I'm ignoring Rick Porcello, of course, since the Tigers definitely aren't going to trade him for Wilson.) Here's a pretty good list of the Tigers' best prospects.

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That looks like an awful system

Wow…

by shayborg on Dec 2, 2008 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Meanwhile, in other news . . .

. . . Operation Shutdown has been locked down.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7985721&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

by WTM on Dec 2, 2008 2:18 PM EST reply actions

It’s getting to the point where I just feel bad for the guy.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 2, 2008 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

You may not have much company.

by WTM on Dec 2, 2008 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Me too, Chalie

Regardless of what you think of a guy, addiction sucks.

by Vlad on Dec 2, 2008 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

According to Jenny L...

…we might be getting Luis Marte or Guillermo Moscoso back in a deal (Link). Both are decent pitching prospects, given the kind of system we’re working with here. I don’t like any of the Tigers’ young shortstops, and while Matt Joyce is pretty keen, I don’t think they’d move him for Jack.

The contrarian in me says that Larish might be a good buy-low, though he’s not a very good fit for the roster. I don’t like Clevlen – too many Ks.

by Vlad on Dec 2, 2008 3:12 PM EST reply actions

Where ever Jack winds up, I just hope we get major league caliber talent in return. I’d be annoyed if we wound up with a couple of utility infielder/4th outfielder/6th starter types. I get a feeling that’s the kind of return NH is seeing offered right now. Don’t be afraid to hold on to Jack, NH.

by Chad Bahamas on Dec 2, 2008 5:57 PM EST reply actions

Looks like Brent Lillibridge is on the move again...

this time to the White Sox…in a trade involving Javier Vazquez and Jo Jo Reyes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3740201

Seems like the Braves don’t need him either.

by Thunder on Dec 2, 2008 6:50 PM EST reply actions

Tiger Trade

I wouldn’t mind seeing us eat some salary, get a prospect, and then see if detroit will throw Dontrelle Willis in. Given the state of our pitching, Willis could rebound and be a factor. His k/9 has been steady his career(not great, but I feel acceptable) and he seemingly just couldn’t find the strike zone last year. I think he is capable of rebounding to a 4.2-4.5 ERA and a 1.35-1.45 WHIP which are again, acceptable numbers for a #3 starter. I think getting a 27 year-old-to-be #3 starter for Jack Wilson would be a good trade, and getting a prospect would be gravy, baby.

by maddog41386 on Dec 2, 2008 8:23 PM EST reply actions

I won a beer bet

this year banking on Willis being pretty much finished because of all the innings the Marlins loaded on him. I see nothing to change my evaluation, unless he comes on a make-good deal or something. Look at his stats the two years before the trade — all headed in the wrong direction.

by bucdaddy on Dec 2, 2008 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

agree to disagree

I think given his age (27 next season) his steady k/9 rates, his “stuff” hasn’t changed that much, but lost a little control. I am not an expert, but I would think he could get his control back. Just talk to Matt Capps a little :)
I would like the Pirates to put to use some of their money they have “saved” over the years, since other teams are wary of large contracts. Players like Dunn, Burell, etc were not offered arbitration because they were afraid theyw ould accept (see market not willing to pay alot for players). This may be a blessing in that the Pirates might be able to steal a nice player for once.

by maddog41386 on Dec 2, 2008 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

I Agree with Maddog

I think we might steal a player, but I just really hope we get a solid player in return for Jack. And like what was previously said, NH better not be overly desperate to get rid of Jack.

BRING BACK TIKE REDMAN

by omar moreno on Dec 3, 2008 8:14 AM EST reply actions

Ongoing discussions but no concrete trade proposals?

So how does that work?

Detroit: “We’re interested in trading for Jack Wilson”
Pittsburgh: “Hey, that’s pretty cool, we may be interested in trading you Jack Wilson”
Detroit: “Well…. talk to you later”
Pittsburgh: “Later”
[5 days later]
Detroit: “Hey, you remember that day we talked about doing a trade for Jack Wilson?”
Pittsburgh: “Hell yeah, that day was rad”
Detroit: “Well, we’re still interested”
Pittsburgh: “Sweeeeeeeeeet”
Detroit: “This idea’s so awesome someday we’ll have to actually think of ways to make it happen”
Pittsburgh: “Totally.”
Detroit: “Cool man, I gotta go. Stay classy”
Pittsburgh: “Rockin’. Keep on keepin’ on”

by Dignan on Dec 3, 2008 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, that perplexed me a bit too. How hard is it to make an offer?

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 3, 2008 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

They're using runners to communicate.

The bearer of the most recent message is jogging toward us as we speak. Right now, he’s somewhere in the area of Cleveland.

by Vlad on Dec 3, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Pheidippides, I believe his name is.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 3, 2008 11:40 PM EST up reply actions

Is Joggin Ronnie the runner??

If so…the message will get there in about 2014.

by Thunder on Dec 4, 2008 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

Actually it was Nyjer Morgan

The Pirates figured his speed would get things done quickly, but he overslid Detroit, ended up in Canada and then got distracted watching hockey games.

Man, I wish I had thought of that when people were actually still reading this thread. In any case, it made me laugh too much to not post it.

by Dignan on Dec 5, 2008 3:08 AM EST up reply actions