Last year, the Tigers inexplicably acquired utility fielder Neif Perez from the Cubs. This season, the Tigers are on the prowl for another player like Perez.
Whether it's a superstituous thing or not following last year's World Series appearance, today's Detroit Free Press made a compelling case for the Pirates' Jack Wilson.
One name to keep in mind is Jack Wilson. His future with Pittsburgh is in doubt after the Pirates acquired Cesar Izturis from the Chicago Cubs, even though Wilson is in the first season of a three-year, $20.2-million contract. Plenty of signs point to a potential fit between Detroit and Pittsburgh:
- Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski is a longtime friend of Pirates GM Dave Littlefield, and the two worked on a deal for Sean Casey at this time last year.
- Leyland scouted games in Pittsburgh while working for the Cardinals, so he has watched Wilson play.
- And, most important, Wilson passes the defense-first test.
Wilson is a better hitter than Neifi Perez, right? My limited recall ability says he is, but it is hindered by the fact that Wilson is a player I automatically right off offensively.
Because of Wilson's albatross of a contract, there is no rush to acquire him before tomorrow's 4PM EST non-waivers trading deadline. No one will claim him and thwart the Tigers from working out a deal.