MLB Trade Rumors: Are Pirates the front runners for Brian Wilson?
By Matt Shetler
By the time Wednesday’s non-waiver trade deadline comes and goes I fully expect Pittsburgh Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington to be very active in making a couple deadline deals to improve his club for the stretch run.
However all additions may not come via trade.
February 19, 2012; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Wilson (38) during camp at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks are the strong front runners for free agent reliever Brian Wilson. Nightingale also noted that that Wilson has offers from four National League teams and one American League club.
However John Gambadoro of Sports 620 KTAR has noted that the Diamondbacks are not in on Wilson, so the Bucs could have a better than average chance of landing the 31-year old.
The former Giants closer had Tommy John surgery in April 2012 and auditioned for teams last Thursday. The Pirates were in attendance at that workout and all reports were that Wilson looked great.
While the need for a productive bat is there for the Pirates, the market isn’t necessarily there for the Bucs to acquire one.
I fully expect Huntington to add a bat or two by Wednesday, but I don’t expect him to forget about adding an arm or two for the stretch run.
With that being said, if he is as healthy as it is being reported, Wilson could be as good as an option as any. He has experience pitching in high leverage situations late in the season and also has experience pitching in a pennant race.
He could turn out to be the perfect addition for the seasons last two months, one that wouldn’t cost the Bucs any of their future.