Wilson Deal Still Possible

by Charlie on Aug 2, 2007 12:30 AM EDT in News

How close was the deal to being done?

One source intimately familiar with the matter said that a deal was virtually done Tuesday and that the Pirates would receive two of Detroit's top six prospects, including an unnamed pitcher ready to join the major-league staff. But the sides haggled on how much of Wilson's contract the Pirates would pick up, the source added, and the delay was on.

If true, that'd be wonderful. A little bit baffling, given the Pirates' subsequent decision to take on Matt Morris' contract and given that it'd be weird for a good organization like the Tigers to give up two of their top six prospects for a guy who's probably going to sneak through waivers, but still wonderful.

Who might those prospects be? Detroit actually doesn't have much of a farm system beyond Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller (who's actually in the majors now anyway), and we're not getting either of those guys. The supposedly major-league ready pitcher might be Eulogio de la Cruz, who throws a million miles an hour and mowed down Class AA this year before struggling some at Class AAA Toledo. Virgil Vasquez is another possibility, although it's a stetch to say he's among the Tigers' top six prospects.

Here are a couple lists of Tigers prospects:

Minor League Ball
Motown Sports Revival

Also from the Post-Gazette, this is a terrific article on the reasons behind the Morris deal.

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Comments

Maybin

Can you imagine for one minute Cameron Maybin and Andrew McCutchen in the same F-ing outfield? We could probably have five infielders, or another catcher to backup Paulino...

by bryanzane on Aug 2, 2007 1:07 AM EDT 0 recs

What Paulino would need

isn't a catcher really, but just someone willing to lie down behind him in order to get in the way of the balls he misses in the dirt.

Yeah, though, that would be fantastic to have Maybin. It's not going to happen, but we can dream.

by Charlie on Aug 2, 2007 1:10 AM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe...

we could play with 8 and the other team could spot us a couple of runs?

by bryanzane on Aug 2, 2007 1:15 AM EDT up 0 recs

De la Cruz and Vasquez

along with Jordan Tata and Brent Clevlen, are all on the Tigers' 40-man roster, and as such -- if I'm not mistaken -- would need to clear waivers now.

(Don't think they would.)

I interpreted Dejan's article as reporting a missed opportunity. The Tigers still may take Wilson's contract, but the Pirates won't be able to add the guys we'd like them to -- at least not the guys that you or I have mentioned in our posts, save Maybin.

And as great as Maybin for Jack Wilson sounds to Pirate fans ... not happening.

Pittsburgh Lumber Co.

by Cory on Aug 2, 2007 3:50 AM EDT 0 recs

Waiver Trades

I don't think minor league players have to clear waivers, just players in the majors. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the case.

Steve Phillips on ESPN Insider posted an explanation, but focused on the MLB side mainly. The only mention of the minors is the PTBNL, and all he says there is that a PTBNL can't be in the majors (which has been discussed recently on here in regards to Zach Duke, etc.)

Here's a recap of that article:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2006/08/waiver_trade_ru.html

Maybin? I'd say he's as untouchable as it gets. I know some have said he projects to be as good or better than Curtis Granderson. They both can't play CF with the big club, but I'd take two Grandersons in my OF any day.

The other names mentioned (Tata, Clevlen, De La Cruz, Vasquez) would be the likely names. And you know what? I would be ecstatic to get any two of those players for Jack Wilson. I'd settle for just dumping his salary, but if we can get two of those guys the trade goes from good to great, IMO.

by OmarMoreno18 on Aug 2, 2007 10:27 AM EDT up 0 recs

From the link you gave...

"Option 1: His team can work out a trade with the team that claimed him. Any player involved in the trade who is on a 40 man roster must go through waivers first."

Pittsburgh Lumber Co.

by Cory on Aug 2, 2007 3:53 PM EDT up 0 recs