Hudson on the block??

[Providence A's]

http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basebal...45706-sun.html

It reminds you a bit of the guy who dumps his wife to land the one-time girl of his dreams.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi has long carried a torch for an outfielder, now with the Texas Rangers, named Brad Wilkerson.

UNCONSUMMATED

To get him, Ricciardi is contemplating shedding second-baseman Orlando Hudson, the most attention-grabbing player on the roster now that Miguel Batista is no longer the closer.

That the deal went unconsummated at the winter meetings speaks to how busy Ricciardi has been on other fronts.


The Jays, you may have heard, added first baseman Lyle Overbay to a list that includes pitchers A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan.

But Ricciardi wants more pop. With Aaron Hill in the wings, he has long weighed whether to sacrifice Hudson's defence and charisma to land Wilkerson and add some pop to the outfield.

There was talk Ricciardi was involved in a complex deal last year that would have seen Vernon Wells traded for Wilkerson.

So why the fascination with a player unknown outside the game's inner circle?

Because Brad Wilkerson fits the mould.

The ideal Jay hits for power yet walks a lot. He can play several positions and can steal a base. Mostly, he is a gamer.

Mr. Wilkerson, sign in please. Wilkerson can play all three outfield positions. When injuries depleted the Washington Nationals lineup, Wilkerson was shifted to leadoff.

He can also play first. He has some speed and a pretty good arm.

Playing through a variety of injuries, Wilkerson hit .248 with 11 homers and 58 RBIs last season, but the Jays figure that as a fluke. His best totals are 32 homers, 77 RBIs. The thinking goes he should hit about 25 homers and deliver 70 RBIs.

And, of course, a huge attraction for Ricciardi, Wilkerson will take a walk. He walks between 80-100 times a year.

He also is a Nomar Garciaparra type who wants to play every minute of every day.

But there had to be a but.

Wilkerson may, in fact, be like a great wine, only appreciated by those who have a properly refined palate.

But I'm looking at this guy and I'm seeing Baby Duck.

The walks are nice, but Wilkerson does not hit for average. He never has hit more than .268 and he strikes out a tonne (161 times one season) for a supposedly professional hitter.

Hudson anchors the middle infield. He eased Russ Adams through his rookie year, and never has turned in a batting average as low as Wilkerson's highest one.

Last year, Hudson hit just one fewer homer and knocked in five more. Unlike Wilkerson, Hudson has never struck our more than 100 times in a season.

Hill is a fine prospect. He can play second and third and, in a pinch, short, so he can stay on the roster and continue to refine a swing that will produce ample doubles and perhaps 20 homers a year.

He also would benefit from 500 at-bats in triple-A Syracuse. The Jays, meanwhile, need to decide whether to cut their losses by moving out Corey Koskie to get Hill in the lineup.

For Hill, there is time.

Ricciardi erred in letting talented shortstops Felipe Lopez and Cesar Izturis leave with minimal return. The loss of Hudson would be infinitely worse and a step back after a wonderful off-season run.

This is a deal crying not to get done.

Some old flames are better left alone.

I'd keep Hudson if it were me...

[Halladay_is_God]

same here
Hill is not ready for full-time starting duties at any position and showed that when he struggled after his great 6 weeks

but at the same time I would love to get a OF like Wilkerson, but keep Rios and Wells there too, Wilkerson could easily take over the cleanup job for the Jays

[Providence A's]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/baseball/13430740.htm

Orlando Hudson of Toronto is available, but the Rangers aren't interested in giving up outfielder Kevin Mench and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Seems like the Jays are trying to rape the Rangers

[Halladay_is_God]

Hudson is only available is the right deal comes along

besides with Hillenbrand/Overbay, Adrian Gonzalez is useless for the team