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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Rosenthal: Sources: Dodgers seek Pirates SS, balk at price

The Dodgers, seeking a possible replacement for free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, balked at the Pirates’ asking price for shortstop Jack Wilson during recent trade talks, according to major-league sources.

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The Pirates, who are discussing Wilson with several teams, wanted Dodgers shortstop Chin-Lung Hu and two other young players, sources say.

The Dodgers first tried to obtain Wilson in early July, when Furcal was recovering from back surgery. It was then that the Pirates expressed their initial interest in Hu.

Wilson, signed for $7.25 million next season with an $8.4 million club option for 2010, would fit for the Dodgers as a short-term bridge to the organization’s top shortstop prospect, Ivan DeJesus Jr.

The Dodgers, however, are not willing to pay a high price in prospects or dollars for Wilson, who is a below-average offensive player.

On the free-agent front, they are showing mild interest in free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria but not Orlando Cabrera, believing that Cabrera would require too long a contract, sources say.

In addition to shortstop, the Dodgers are trying to fill holes at third base and left field, as well as in their starting rotation and bullpen. They could open next season with Angel Berroa and Hu at short, with DeJesus possibly joining the club at mid-season.

Tripon Posted: November 26, 2008 at 01:37 AM | 11 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: November 26, 2008 at 02:47 AM (#3015997)

I will personally charter a plane and rent a limousine to fly/drive Bobby Crosby from anywhere in the world to Dodger Stadium if the A's trade him for Hu. If they need to pay Bob's remaining salary and throw in a C/C+ prospect they should do that too.

2. MM1f Posted: November 26, 2008 at 02:48 AM (#3015998)

Why didn't they just try to re-sign Furcal rather than downgrade?

3. Earvin 'Gold Stars' Johnson Posted: November 26, 2008 at 03:01 AM (#3016005)

Why didn't they just try to re-sign Furcal rather than downgrade?
They did - but balked at a four-year deal.

4. Tripon Posted: November 26, 2008 at 03:21 AM (#3016010)

Rosenthal said that Furcal was looking at houses in the Oakland area. He's as good as gone.

5. Tripon Posted: November 26, 2008 at 03:30 AM (#3016014)

The Pirates, who are discussing Wilson with several teams, wanted Dodgers shortstop Chin-Lung Hu, outfielder Delwyn Young and a third young player, sources say. - Rosenthal

This may be kicking the tires, but sheesh. You want Matt Kemp too with that Hunnington?

6. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 26, 2008 at 03:36 AM (#3016017)

Hu's at the point where Jack Wilson is probably his upside rather than a reasonable expectation. Young's a tweener; not enough power for the corners, not enough glove for CF. Neither one should be a deal-breaker, so the question is, who's the third player?

-- MWE

7. Tripon Posted: November 26, 2008 at 03:45 AM (#3016021)

The deal breaker is Jack Wilson. I know Hu had a horrible year last year, posting a 24 OPS+ in 116 at bats, but Jack Wilson only posted a 77 OPS+ in 87 games. Even if Hu's upside is Wilson, that's still 5 years of controlling Hu's rights versus $8 million for Wilson in 2009, and another 8 million dollar option for 2010.

8. akrasian Posted: November 26, 2008 at 03:49 AM (#3016024)

How good defensively is Wilson? Hu looks spectacular.

Zips has Hu putting up a .660 OPS in 2009. Wilson's career (going into his age 31 season) is .687. I know home team fans always overrate their own prospects, but Wilson needs to be pretty good defensively to make up for the age and salary differences of even a straight up deal. Frankly, I'd rather they gave Hu a chance, and used the $7 million or so savings on getting help elsewhere on the diamond. Then if DeJesus actually does make it and pushes Hu aside, the Dodgers either have an excellent fielding utility guy in Hu, orsomeone they can include as part of a trade for somebody else useful.

9. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 26, 2008 at 04:00 AM (#3016028)

"How good defensively is Wilson?"

A hair above average, give or take a little.

10. Tripon Posted: November 26, 2008 at 04:04 AM (#3016031)

anybody got the +/- numbers for Wilson in 2008, and career average?

11. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 26, 2008 at 04:13 AM (#3016036)

Wilson was +16 in 2008

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Rosenthal: Sources: Dodgers seek Pirates SS, balk at price

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