During MASN’s telecast of tonight’s Mets/Nationals game (the Mets are up, 4-1 in the top of the 6th), it was reported that Houston had designated OF Preston Wilson for assignment in order to create a roster spot for P Jason Hirsch (just promoted from Round Rock, and struggling tonight against San Diego).
Exclaimed Tom Paciorek, “Preston Wilson! He’s not having that bad a year!”
Wilson has an on base percentage of .309 this year — his worst since entering the big leagues. He’s struck out more than 4 times as often as he’s walked. He’s on pace for a career low in home runs (at least for seasons where he played more than 60 games).
If the Astros really needed a strikeout machine with limited pop in their outfield, they could’ve promoted Charlton Jimerson, and they wouldn’t have paid him $4 million.
Earlier, Paciorek wondered aloud, “whatever happened to Brian Bannister?”
Of course, the Nationals have been so amazing to watch this season, who can really blame Paciorek for his failure to keep abreast of other clubs’ goings-on?
The Griddle’s Bob Timmermann acknowledged Carlos Baerga’s retirement announcement yesterday. On behalf of Mets fans everywhere, I’d like to wish Baerga all the best, though not nearly as much as I wish he’d retired in 1995.
The numbers are inarguably correct. Wilson is having a bad year, and is by most standards not that good a player to have around anymore. But, and maybe this is just me, didn’t you think at least a little bit about whether he’d be a better answer in right than Lastings Milledge, at least for the remainder of ’06? I love Da Edge as much as anyone (not named Wallace Matthews), but really? In a year that could end with the Mets in the World Series?
more on the subject :
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4113514.html
http://metscentric.blogspot.com/2006/08/preston-wilson.html
http://htownsports.blogspot.com/2006/08/op-lane-determined-to-be-lesser.html
it isnt just Milledge I’m worried about —- and yeah, not to give Wally or the other haters too much credit, but Da Edge isn’t quite the Kevin Mitchell of 1986 yet (on the field, either) but Cliff Floyd’s absence is cause for concern, too.
Is Preston Wilson capable enough to hit 8th for the Mets? or 9th while playing in an AL park? Absolutely.
A Ricky Ledee & Jose Cruz Jr. platoon should do a better Cliff Floyd impression than Preston Wilson.