Pirates Sign Craig Wilson!

by Charlie Wilmoth on Apr 8, 2008 4:39 PM EDT

Yay! As a charter member of the Free Craig Club, I wholly endorse this move, even if it only means Wilson's going to collect at bats at Indianapolis. Indy already has three outfielders who need to play (Steve Pearce, Andrew McCutchen and Kevin Thompson), so Wilson will presumably see time at first base, where they've been starting non-prospect Adam Boeve. In any case, I'm pretty sure Wilson's career as a productive big leaguer is over, but I'm thrilled to have him back in the organization.

If you're feeling nostalgic, here's a tribute to Craig that I wrote after he was traded to the Yankees.

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Comments

And there was much rejoicing.

At least by me. As far as I'm concerned, they can keep signing Craig until he needs a cane to make it around the bases, and I'll be fine with it.

by Vlad on Apr 8, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

I agree. They owe him.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Apr 8, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Man

That is a particularly crappy Neyer quotation within your tribute link. I remember you getting all up in arms about it at the time, and you were right. Basically he's saying that McClendon was right to play Young over Wilson because a manager's job is to make himself happy.

I liked Neyer back when I visited that website, but I guess even he whiffed occasionally when someone teed one up for him.

by scoreboard on Apr 8, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Welcome back, Thor

by matskralc on Apr 8, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Made my day

I couldn't be happier for the guy, and for the organization. Even if this doesn't pan out, it would be nice to see him end his time in the game with the Pirate organization. He is, and always will be, one of my favorite players. And for anyone who has had the good fortune to meet him, one of the most genuine, friendly and considerate human beings you will ever run across.

by RichieHebner on Apr 8, 2008 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

i'ma drink a beer

i'm so happy.

by bryanzane on Apr 8, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

Welcome back Craiggers!

See ya in September when X-Man gets traded

by Bad Andy on Apr 8, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

Craig Wilson

The Sugar Boys (C & H Sugar - Coonelley and Huntington) should be embarassed with their signing of Wilson.

All it does is serve as a dismal reminder of those thrilling days of yesteryear.

Let's move on. Let Kata and Boeve play 1B or bring up Jason Delaney and find out if this 25 year old supposed "prospect" can hit.

by thegunner on Apr 8, 2008 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

No personal offense

to Wilson, I'm sure he's a gentlemen and a scholar. But it was bad enough when we were Dumpster-diving for other people's castoffs to come to the Career Graveyard. Now we're reduced to picking up our own scraps. I don't see what this accomplishes unless a trade is imminent and Pearce is coming up.

by bucdaddy on Apr 9, 2008 12:24 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe

A trade is imminent...

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 9, 2008 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions

What it accomplishes

1) We get someone to play 1B at AAA. Until now, we'd been using Matt Kata.

2) We get the option, if Craig shows that he's healthy, of adding at least one bench power source to the ML roster later in the year. Right now, if we need an insta-rally late in a game, we're cooked.

by Vlad on Apr 9, 2008 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Pirates Sign Craig Wilson!

I like it. It`s a good move.

by patthatt on Apr 9, 2008 1:23 AM EDT reply actions

I guess it doesn't hurt anything

But wih his health issues and his recent track record, I don't see that it helps. Seems more like a feel-good move, like offering Kuwata a coaching position. Matt Kata is, sadly, almost certainly a better player right now, though just as certainly out of position at 1B.

by bucdaddy on Apr 9, 2008 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

I think you're gravely underestimating...

...the crappiness of Matt Kata.

by Vlad on Apr 9, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He belongs here!

Who better to come up as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the 9th when we need a dinger? Hopefully, he'll see some time with the Bucs.

by meandterry on Apr 9, 2008 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

Frankly

I'd much much much rather see Pearce get the chance to hit that dinger. If Craig Wilson is up here making the difference between 70 wins and 68 wins while Pearce is tearing up AAA, then our priorities are seriously f'ed up.

by bucdaddy on Apr 9, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

Pearce should be up and starting.

If they're not willing to flip Nady and use Pearce as a regular, though, this is the second-best option. Giving Pearce regular PT at AAA is slightly less wasteful than leaving him marooned on the ML bench.

by Vlad on Apr 10, 2008 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Wilson vs. Pearce

Of course I'd rather see Pearce here - I'd rather see him than a handful of the players we now have. My sentiment was just an expression of appreciation for Wilson's tenure with the Pirates

by meandterry on Apr 12, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Wilson - can't hurt

By the looks of things so far ANYONE with major league experience that does'nt cost too much can't hurt, IMO

by EMU on Apr 9, 2008 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

What is the downside?

Indianapolis needs a first baseman, Wilson needs a chance, and we might all be very pleasantly surprised. Say Bay is hurt or traded, and/or Nady is hurt or traded, and/or LaRoche is hurt or traded. Or, let's say none of the above. Who is sitting our bench who might be better than a healthy Wilson, even something less than the 2004 Wilson? No one is talking about making him the starting right fielder, but the potential of the 2004 Wilson was enough to get the Yankees and Braves interested last year.

by RichieHebner on Apr 9, 2008 5:56 PM EDT reply actions