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Josh Wilson

Quick Hits: D’Backs, Young, Astros

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Links for Wednesday night after a pair of vintage performances from two former Cy Young Award winners who are on the way back from injuries: Bartolo Colon and Jake Peavy…

  • D'Backs manager Kirk Gibson told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that the organization is considering internal and external candidates to start Saturday (Twitter link). Piecoro suggests the D'Backs could cut Josh Wilson to create roster space.
  • As Piecoro notes, former Padres GM Kevin Towers has infused the D'Backs' bench with lots of San Diego flavor. Wilson, Sean Burroughs, Xavier Nady, Henry Blanco and Russell Branyan have all played for the Padres (Twitter link).
  • Michael Young told Jim Rome that he was pleased to pick up ten and five rights because the rights reflect extended MLB service (video at ESPNDallas.com). Young, the subject of many an offseason trade rumor, says he isn't worried about deals. That makes sense, since he now has the power to veto any move the Rangers propose.
  • Astros GM Ed Wade told Stephen Goff of the Houston Astros Examiner that he's encouraged by the organization's minor league prospects, though some are "still on the far horizon." Wade says he doesn't anticipate that the team’s upcoming ownership transfer will affect his staff’s approach to the upcoming draft.

Dead Money: Paying Players To Play Elsewhere

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Eating money in trades or by releasing players is far from an ideal business practice, but sometimes it's a necessary evil. The Mets believe they are better off paying Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo a combined $18MM not to be on their team this year, and released the two just last month. David Wharton of The Los Angeles Times wrote about the concept of "dead money" today, speaking to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, sports economist J.C. Bradbury, and Scott Boras.

With some help from Cot's Baseball Contracts, let's look at the teams that are paying players to be anywhere but on their roster this season…

This doesn't include money the Braves owe Kenshin Kawakami ($7.4MM) or the Yankees owe Kei Igawa ($4MM). Both Japanese imports remain in the organization, but they've since been banished to the minor leagues. It also doesn't include all the money the Mets famously owe Bobby Bonilla for the next two decades.

Yuniesky Betancourt is the only player collecting paychecks from three different big league teams at the moment, but Carlos Silva could join him if he's called up by the Yankees. Gary Matthews Jr. could also be in that mix if he catches on somewhere this summer.

D’Backs Sign Josh Wilson

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The Diamondbacks signed infielder Josh Wilson to a minor league deal, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter links). Wilson, who was released by the Mariners earlier in the week, will report to Triple-A Reno.

Wilson appeared in 11 games for Arizona during the 2009 season before playing for the Padres and Mariners. In 388 plate appearances for Seattle last year, Wilson posted a .227/.278/.294 line as a utility infielder. Though he's primarily a shortstop, Wilson has pitched three times and played every infield position.

Mariners Release Josh Wilson

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The Mariners released infielder Josh Wilson, tweets MLB.com's Greg Johns.  Wilson, 30, hit .227/.278/.29 in 388 plate appearances for the Mariners last year, logging 839 innings at shortstop.  By cutting him now, the Mariners owe only 45 days termination pay.  On a $725K salary that amounts to about $179K.

The Everett Herald's Kirby Arnold tweeted earlier today that the Mariners selected the contracts of Chris Ray and Jamey Wright, so today's purchase of Adam Kennedy's contract fills up the team's 40-man roster.  Wilson told Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times the Mariners are keeping non-roster invitee Luis Rodriguez as well, which can be made possible by placing Mauricio Robles on the 60-day DL.

Mariners Release Eric Byrnes

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The Mariners have released Eric Byrnes, according to Larry LaRue of The News Tribune.  The veteran outfielder has posted a .443 OPS this season in 34 plate appearances.

The 34-year-old agreed to a one-year deal with Seattle in late January.  While Byrnes is earning $11MM in the final year of the three-year pact he signed with the D'Backs, the Mariners are responsible for just $400K of that sum.

Seattle has also made a trio of in-house adjustments, sending Matt Tuiasosopo to Triple-A while promoting Ryan Langerhans and Josh Wilson.  All four roster moves have been confirmed by a team press release. 

Shannon Drayer of ESPN Radio Seattle (via Twitter) points out that Langerhans and Wilson were not on the 40-man roster, meaning that another move is on the horizon.  She later tweeted that the move will not be shifting a player to the 60-day DL and it will likely not involve a player on the 25-man roster (also via Twitter).

Earlier this evening, both Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner and Larry Stone of The Seattle Times predicted that Byrnes' days in Seattle were numbered.

Phillies Sign DeWayne Wise & Wilson Valdez

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According to Matt Eddy and Baseball America's latest edition of minor league transactions, the Phillies have signed utility men DeWayne Wise and Wilson Valdez to minor league contracts.

Wise, 32 in February, declared free agency back in October after hitting .225/.262/.366 in 153 plate appearances for the White Sox this year. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Valdez hit .256/.326/.337 in 95 plate appearances for the Mets.

Make sure you check out the transactions link for more moves, including shortstop Josh Wilson becoming a free agent.

Mariners To DFA Josh Wilson

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The Mariners are about to designate utilityman Josh Wilson for assignment to make room for Mike Sweeney, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. Wilson has spent time with the D'Backs, Padres and Mariners this year, playing a variety of positions, including pitcher. 

The 28-year-old appeared in six games for the Mariners, going hitless in two at bats. Because he pitched for the D'Backs and Padres, Wilson is probably the only position player in baseball who's allowed as many runs as he's driven in (three).

Mariners Claim Josh Wilson, DFA Quiroz

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For the second time today, a Padre has been claimed off waivers. This time, it's Josh Wilson going to the Mariners, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. The Mariners also designated catcher Guillermo Quiroz for assignment.

Wilson, a 28-year-old utility man, has already played for the Padres and D'Backs this year, spending most of his time on the left side of the infield. He actually pitched for both clubs, too and it wasn't his first time on a big league mound; his pitching debut came with Tampa Bay in 2007. At the plate, Wilson's only hitting .156 this year, with an OPS below .500.

Quiroz, a 27-year-old catcher, appeared in just four games for the Mariners after a promotion from Triple A.

Odds & Ends: Boras, Francoeur, Cubs

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Links for Tuesday…

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