Craig Wilson = Jim Thome

I've long said that Craig Wilson would put up Jim Thome numbers when given the chance to start every game. (I'm only talking about offense). Judging by BP's uni-stat, "VORP," or value over replacement player, Thome and Wilson are #2 and #3 most valuable offensive contributors from first base. (Nevermind that the OF is Wilson's best position.) I'm a bit surprised at how similar their numbers are to date and at the way they rank above Helton, Pujols, and Bagwell for their performance to date. Craig Wilson has been an elite hitter this month - one of the NL's very best.

Jim Thome: 73 AB, 16 R, 27 H, 12 XBH, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 12 BB, 20 K, .370 / . 465 / .699.

Craig Wilson: 74 AB, 10 R, 27 H, 14 XBH, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6 BB, 15 K, .365 / .447 / .703.

Oh yeah, one more thing: 33-yo Thome $12M, 27-yo Wilson $1.2M.

It's a limited sample size, sure. If Craig keeps this up all year, it will be interesting to see if the Bucs do what it will take to re-sign him. And yes, he'll be worth a couple of Dioner Navarros at the trade deadline. Even a team like the Brewers could afford the remainder of his 2004 contract. A Wilson trade would not be a salary dump but a trading what's ready now for what might be ready later. The bidding could theoretically involve the very best of every contending team's minor-league stock. I'd support dealing Wilson since it's pretty easy to find serviceable corner guys to join a team at the last minute and provide that final push into the playoffs. It's the top-quality guys up the middle and the starters on the mound who are impossible to gather on the cheap.

If Littlefield trades Wilson for a Jeremy Reed, an Andy Marte, a Richie Weeks, a Bobby Crosby, a J.J. Hardy, or some other uber-prospect, will the Heathers come to praise the decision to limit to Wilson's plate appearances in 2003 (and thus drive down the value of his 2004 contract)? Had Wilson done this last year, the Bucs wouldn't have him for this year.