For some reason or another infield trade rumors continue to involve the Detroit Tigers. The latest name to be linked back to Detroit is Seattle infielder Jack Wilson.
Jack Wilson has been linked to Detroit in the past and given that the Tigers and Mariners have been trade partners on more than one occasion (including this season) at a very quick glance this could seem like a possibility. Now when you add some of the other factors concerning Wilson into the equation such as he can play all three infield positions, he’s an above average defender at shortstop and could provide some depth then maybe the Wilson to Detroit rumors seem a little more reasonable.
However, when you actually take a step back and look at the Tigers infielders, Wilson really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense from an offensive and defensive standpoint. First off there’s no way you take Peralta out from the shortstop position and insert him somewhere else. He is simply performing too well at the plate and playing well enough in the field that you wouldn’t want to mess with his psyche. Second, Wilson would definitely be a defensive upgrade from Guillen at second, however he is only hitting a tad better than Guillen (both are in the low .200’s) and isn’t a switch hitter. I still choose to keep the switch hitter in the lineup. Finally Don Kelly and Wilson Betemit are playing well enough both in the field and at the plate that adding Jack Wilson at this point may be more of a hassle then a benefit.
Now I wouldn’t mind bringing Wilson in to be a late defensive substitution, Seattle would need to eat most of the $5 million remaining on Wilson’s contract this season.
Source: ESPN
