Wilson in possible last season with Bucs
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Shortstop Jack Wilson took his first series of infield drills Tuesday in what most likely will be his final spring training camp with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“It seems like every year was supposed to be Jack’s last year,” second baseman Freddy Sanchez said. “He wasn’t supposed to be here at the [July 31] trading deadline. He wasn’t supposed to be here over the winter. But he finds a way and he’s still here. Can’t get rid of him.”
It wasn’t for a lack of trying on the Pirates’ part.
Former general manager Dave Littlefield thought he had a deal in July 2007 to trade Wilson to the Detroit Tigers, but it collapsed at the last minute.
Last season, first-year GM Neal Huntington again fielded offers for Wilson. Rumors rumbled loudly during the winter meetings in December — so much that Wilson went to the gathering in Las Vegas to find out what his future held.
“Two and a half months ago, yeah, I’d have said I’d be surprised to be back here,” Wilson said. “But after the whole winter meetings thing blew over and it looked like I was going to stay, I pretty much had my mind set on being back with Pittsburgh — which I always welcomed. I’ve always loved being here.”
Wilson, 31, is in the final year of his four-year contract and will make $7.25 million this season. The Pirates almost certainly will give Wilson a $600,000 buyout at season’s end, rather than pick up his $8.4 million option for 2010.
Last season, Wilson batted .272 with 22 RBIs. He appeared in just 87 games because of a calf injury and a fractured right index finger.