Mariners Sign Wilkerson
February 1, 2008 by Geoff Young
Filed under Transactions
The Seattle Mariners made a smart move. Wait, aren’t they bound legally and morally not to do that?
Cheap shot, I know. Anyway, the M’s have signed outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a 1-year deal worth $3 million. Wilkerson hasn’t developed the way a lot of us thought he might, and he’s battled injuries the past couple seasons, but a 31-year-old with power and on-base skills for that price ain’t too shabby. Also, the guy can play all three outfield spots as well as first base.
Wilkerson batted .234/.319/.467 in 389 plate appearances for the Texas Rangers in 2007. For his career, he’s hitting .250/.354/.451. That’s pretty good production, especially for someone who has as much trouble making contact as Wilkerson does.
Shrewd pickup by the Mariners. Well played…
Eh, I don’t see it as well played. That should be Adam Jones in right field – not Wilkerson who can barely run. Check out the USS Mariner..they break down Wilkerson pretty good.
This is the consolation prize for getting rid of Adam Jones – though the Bedard trade hasn’t gone through -yet-. Now the M’s will have two corner outfielders that would be better served to figure out how to patrol the corners in wheelchairs.
You’re a lot closer to the situation than I am, so I’ll defer to your judgment. I was working under the assumption that Wilkerson would be a fourth outfielder type who will get about 400 PA while playing multiple positions. If he’s taking material time away from Jones, well that’s a problem. I still think Wilkerson is a great buy-low candidate, and I wouldn’t have minded seeing him in San Diego.
Well with Jones pretty much gone, Wilkerson will be a full time starting right fielder. I might not have a problem if he was a bench guy but by the looks of it he’ll be starting at the corner.