Toronto Pursuing Wilkerson

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We better get one of these guys soon, because it looks like the market is heating up.

 

From the Washington Post,

 

The market could also be heating up for Nationals outfielder Brad Wilkerson. Though Bowden said, "We've had very few discussions involving Brad," there were indications that Toronto may be preparing to try to find a match for Wilkerson. Ricciardi has long coveted Wilkerson, who is coming off a down year in which he hit just .248 with 147 strikeouts. Ricciardi said his team might be able to deal pitching, and the possible offers include swingman Miguel Batista or 26-year-old starter Dave Bush

 

Is anyone else scared that Hendry will refuse to pay the price these teams are asking and end up having to sign Preston Wilson and Juan Encarncion or end up giving Pie for Pierre because there will be no other options?

[Andy]

Big offseason for Blue Jays fans.

[badger1679666666]

He won't give up Pie for Pierre. That much I'm confident of.

 

The Wilson/Encarnacion crap, I believe that will happen, because Hendry will get shut out everywhere.

[YearofDaCubs]

We better get one of these guys soon, because it looks like the market is heating up.

 

From the Washington Post,

 

The market could also be heating up for Nationals outfielder Brad Wilkerson. Though Bowden said, "We've had very few discussions involving Brad," there were indications that Toronto may be preparing to try to find a match for Wilkerson. Ricciardi has long coveted Wilkerson, who is coming off a down year in which he hit just .248 with 147 strikeouts. Ricciardi said his team might be able to deal pitching, and the possible offers include swingman Miguel Batista or 26-year-old starter Dave Bush

 

Is anyone else scared that Hendry will refuse to pay the price these teams are asking and end up having to sign Preston Wilson and Juan Encarncion or end up giving Pie for Pierre because there will be no other options?

Scared? I'm resigned to it happening! Hendry needs to make a move soon because things aren't looking too good right now.

[UMFan83]

Big offseason for Blue Jays fans.

 

Looks like they might retool and make the World Series before the Cubs.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'm actually getting scared that Hendry will pull the trigger on that 7/84 Damon deal and re-sign Burnitz for RF.

[Andy]

I'm actually getting scared that Hendry will pull the trigger on that 7/84 Damon deal and re-sign Burnitz for RF.

No way in hell they go 7/84 with Damon.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'm actually getting scared that Hendry will pull the trigger on that 7/84 Damon deal and re-sign Burnitz for RF.

No way in hell they go 7/84 with Damon.

 

My good God, I hope not.

[da bears]

Well, Hendry better do something soon. The market is heating up, and I'm getting very impatient.

[xecuter83]

You know sometimes you just have to sit back and understand that you have to give some to get some :)

[abuck1220]

hill for wilkerson if all it takes is bush. and if it's swingmen they're after, the cubs can offer rusch.

 

i love hill, and i want to see him get a chance to pitch. rfk would be perfect for him and his fly ball tendencies.

[maandig]

Rotoworld speculates that Bowden would be looking at Alex Rios in return for Wilkerson.

 

Why would the Blue Jays want Wilkerson? To play first base? What are the Blue Jays going to do in the outfield next year? They've got Vernon Wells, who will obviously play, Rios, who has not lived up to expectations (and is significantly better in the Skydome than on the road) but no one seems to be giving up on, Reed Johnson, who the Blue Jays did seem to give up on and then come back to over the season, and Gabe Gross, who is younger than Johnson and is about due to get his chance to start, unless he has a horrible spring.

 

Say they get Wilkerson and intend to put him in the outfield. You would have to guess that they would be looking to move one if not two of the four they have (if they aren't already traded to the Nationals to get Brad).

 

Never mind. I'd be interested to read any thoughts about Rios. Given the hypothetical of Kearns tossed out earlier today, I was reminded of how much more I like Alex over Austin. I can't imagine that Ricciardi would want to deal Rios, but if it is a possibility, I would hope that the Cubs brass is looking into it.

[badger1679666666]

hill for wilkerson if all it takes is bush. and if it's swingmen they're after, the cubs can offer rusch.

 

i love hill, and i want to see him get a chance to pitch. rfk would be perfect for him and his fly ball tendencies.

 

Hill is pretty much "untouchable" ala Hendry. See the Trib for the quote:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-051205cubs,1,974000.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true

[CubsWin]

Man, I read the article and then some of the reaction to it, and I had to go back and re-read the article to see if I missed where they said that Wilkerson had actually been traded to Toronto. Its just an article. There are a lot of them floating around out there with teams being mentioned as persuing a certain player. Case in point, this article also from the Washington Post...

Washington's primary chip in a trade is outfielder-first baseman Brad Wilkerson, who clubs value because of his versatility and ability to get on base. Wilkerson, who made $3.05 million in 2005, is eligible for arbitration, and with Boras as his agent, it's possible negotiations could be difficult. The Chicago Cubs are among the teams that have interest in Wilkerson, who hit leadoff for Washington last year but who most club officials feel would be better-suited for the middle of a the lineup.

Anybody out there willing to react to that article as if Wilkerson is practically a Cub? So why when we read an article that says Toronto wants Wilkerson, we react as if he is as good as gone? If the Cubs wind up with Preston Wilson and Juan Encarnacion and fail miserably, I'll be as upset with Hendry as the next guy. But I'm not going to be down on him before he does that.

[fromthestretch]

Rotoworld speculates that Bowden would be looking at Alex Rios in return for Wilkerson.

 

If the Nationals are interested in a speedy outfielder that doesn't walk much, offer them Patterson.

[erik316wttn]

We better get one of these guys soon, because it looks like the market is heating up.

 

From the Washington Post,

 

The market could also be heating up for Nationals outfielder Brad Wilkerson. Though Bowden said, "We've had very few discussions involving Brad," there were indications that Toronto may be preparing to try to find a match for Wilkerson. Ricciardi has long coveted Wilkerson, who is coming off a down year in which he hit just .248 with 147 strikeouts. Ricciardi said his team might be able to deal pitching, and the possible offers include swingman Miguel Batista or 26-year-old starter Dave Bush

 

Is anyone else scared that Hendry will refuse to pay the price these teams are asking and end up having to sign Preston Wilson and Juan Encarncion or end up giving Pie for Pierre because there will be no other options?

Scared? I'm resigned to it happening! Hendry needs to make a move soon because things aren't looking too good right now.

 

He might have to overpay for one of these guys just to lock one up.

[YearofDaCubs]

We better get one of these guys soon, because it looks like the market is heating up.

 

From the Washington Post,

 

The market could also be heating up for Nationals outfielder Brad Wilkerson. Though Bowden said, "We've had very few discussions involving Brad," there were indications that Toronto may be preparing to try to find a match for Wilkerson. Ricciardi has long coveted Wilkerson, who is coming off a down year in which he hit just .248 with 147 strikeouts. Ricciardi said his team might be able to deal pitching, and the possible offers include swingman Miguel Batista or 26-year-old starter Dave Bush

 

Is anyone else scared that Hendry will refuse to pay the price these teams are asking and end up having to sign Preston Wilson and Juan Encarncion or end up giving Pie for Pierre because there will be no other options?

Scared? I'm resigned to it happening! Hendry needs to make a move soon because things aren't looking too good right now.

 

He might have to overpay for one of these guys just to lock one up.

I would say at this point we will have to overpay to make these trades. I think our farm will take a hit no doubt but at the same time we don't have anymore options.