Nearing the end?
BRADENTON, Fla. — 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 so 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 RBI. He appeared in just 87 games because of a calf injury and a fractured right index finger.
"All I can do is have a good offseason, which I feel I did, and prepare myself to do the best I can," Wilson said. "At the end of the year, if you can look yourself in the mirror and say, 'I did everything I could,' then whatever the numbers are, the numbers are. Just give it your best."
Wilson proclaimed himself fully healthy as he gathered his gear in the clubhouse. He has a locker next to Sanchez, his double-play partner and close friend since they played together on a summer league team in high school.
"It's great to see him back," Sanchez said. "We have a lot of chemistry together. He's one of the best shortstops in the game. And just as having him back is important to me, it's important to the team for every reason — defense, what he brings to the table, how long he's been here. He's just a great guy to have around."
It's still possible the rebuilding Pirates could trade Wilson before the year is out. Although there is no one in the team's farm system who appears ready to play every day in the majors, the Pirates in December signed 32-year-old veteran Ramon Vazquez to a two-year deal.
