Astros near deal for slugger

maxdemo · Jan 3, 2006

Jan. 2, 2006, 11:09PM
Astros near deal for slugger
Center fielder Wilson looks like club's top target

By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
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Astros general manager Tim Purpura's hopes for landing a run-producing outfielder may come to fruition today. And if those plans work out, it's most likely free agent center fielder Preston Wilson will land with the National League champions.

"I would think within the next 24 hours, we'll know where we stand with everybody," Purpura said Monday at 6 p.m.
The Astros now appear to be Wilson's first choice.
Purpura had been in negotiations with the representatives for Wilson and Conroe High graduate Jeromy Burnitz. But the Astros are starting to believe their chances of signing Wilson are much better than their chances with Burnitz.
Wilson, 31, hit .260 with 25 home runs, 90 RBIs and 148 strikeouts for the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals in 2005. All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg, who had 36 homers and 101 RBIs, was the only Astro with more RBIs last year than Wilson.
He has played center field most of his career. It remains to be seen what would happen with Willy Taveras, the center fielder who was second in Rookie of the Year balloting in 2005.
Wilson, who earned $12.5 million in 2005, would likely get a contract worth less per year than the one-year, $6 million offer Nomar Garciaparra spurned from the Astros.
But Wilson's stay in Houston could be longer than a year. Both sides are still mulling over contract options for a potential second year.
"Things are more positive than not," Purpura said.

maxdemo · Jan 4, 2006

Jan. 4, 2006, 12:21AM
Wilson adds punch to Astros' lineup
Tailored to patch some holes

By BRIAN MCTAGGART
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
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As the stepson of former major leaguer Mookie Wilson, Preston Wilson has fuzzy memories of attending games at the Astrodome as a kid and being entranced by the scoreboard light show following home runs.
"I remember that big, crazy screen they had in the Astrodome with the little cowboy shooting at the bulls," he said. "I'll always remember all that."
Wilson hopes to light up the scoreboard at Minute Maid Park this year after the free-agent outfielder signed a one-year contract with the Astros on Tuesday, ending the club's search for a run-producing bat.
The signing of Wilson marks the Astros' first significant addition in what had been an uneventful offseason on the heels of the first World Series appearance in franchise history.
"I know some people think maybe we've taken a little bit of time this offseason, maybe we should have moved quicker on some free agents or made some trades," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "I think what we've tried to do this offseason is carefully look at all the options that were available to us at the free-agent market, the trade market. And we're going to continue to do that."
Wilson, who will make $4 million this season with the club holding the option for three more years at $8 million per year, is a career .264 hitter with 171 homers and 591 RBIs in 948 games with the New York Mets, Florida, Colorado and Washington.
He led the National League with 141 RBIs with the Rockies in 2003, earning his only All-Star appearance.
"We're very, very excited about Preston Wilson," Astros owner Drayton McLane said. "His enthusiasm is as sky high as ours is. He wants to be a champion, and we are still committed to being that champion. We want to go back to that World Series and win the World Series."
Wilson split last year between Colorado and Washington, hitting a combined .260 with 25 homers and 90 RBIs in 139 games. An aggressive hitter, he struck out 148 times last year but will give the Astros a formidable middle of the order with Morgan Ensberg and Lance Berkman.
"This is exactly what I was looking for," Wilson said moments after donning his No. 23 jersey at a press conference at Union Station. "I got an opportunity to be with an organization who cares a lot about winning, who cares a lot about doing what's best for the team on the field every day."

Position switch likely

Wilson, 31, has been primarily a center fielder during his eight-year career but likely will be moved to one of the corner outfield spots with NL Rookie of Year runner-up Willy Taveras seemingly entrenched in center.
"Right now, that's not really a concern," Wilson said. "I came over because I wanted to be here, and I'm going to let the manager figure that out. As long as I'm out there somewhere, I'll be happy."
Wilson will join Taveras and Jason Lane in the outfield, allowing Lance Berkman to move to first base. That's if first baseman Jeff Bagwell's surgically repaired right shoulder doesn't heal in time to allow him to return this year.

Outfield could be crowded

If Bagwell, who will have his shoulder analyzed next week by respected orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., returns to first base full time, the Astros will have a logjam in the outfield with Wilson, Berkman, Taveras, Lane and Chris Burke, who started 74 games in left last year.
"It certainly gives (manager) Phil (Garner) an opportunity to mix and match, as he does so well, and try to find the right combinations that work for us while keeping Preston's bat in the lineup," Purpura said. "What we're going to do is use spring training as a feeling out process for Phil and Preston and our other outfielders.
"One of the things you always worry about as a general manager is what happens if so-and-so goes down, what happens if there's an injury?"
Purpura said the Astros also would like to add a starting pitcher and a lefthanded reliever, though the free-agent market has all but dried up.
"There are some relievers out there that could help us," he said. "Starting pitching could be kind of thin at this point. We've had good reports on Wandy Rodriguez at winter ball, and we're encouraged about that. We may have enough (pitching) internally, but we'll certainly look at the trade front to see what's out there."

TonyMar · Jan 5, 2006

I cannot recall a contract like this one...1 year deal with a three year option. Wilson's home/road splits will be interesting this year...should put up some nice numbers at MMaid.

CHOPTALK · Jan 19, 2006

Hey Max, Is TheRocket comming back May 1st IYO?

maxdemo · Jan 19, 2006

CHOPTALK said:
Hey Max, Is TheRocket comming back May 1st IYO?

Fox26 Had a interview w/ him last night and he said that he will play another season...when asked w/ who he said its up to the Astros..IMO I say yes he plays w/ the Astros another year