Craig Wilson for trade

John Perrotto, today:

While the Pirates still have enough room to fit first baseman/outfielder Craig Wilson into their expanded payroll that is rising from $32 million to $49 million this year, they figure to intensify their efforts to trade him.

Wilson made $3 million last season when he was limited to 59 games because of hand injuries. As a arbitration-eligible player, he figures to get at least a slight raise despite getting only 197 at bats and hitting .264 with five homers and 22 RBIs.

Colorado and Toronto have been mentioned as possible destinations for Wilson, though Cleveland's interest appears to have waned now that the Indians have struck a tentative deal with free-agent first baseman Eduardo Perez.

Dejan Kovacevic, this morning:

Burnitz's acquisition and the trade for first baseman Sean Casey appear to bump Craig Wilson out of the Pirates' plans. Wilson, 29, plays first and right field, and he is unlikely to be retained as a bench player with a salary in the range of $4 million, which is what he is expected to receive this month.

"I really don't know what their plan is," Wilson said last night from his home in California. "I'm hoping to be part of it somewhere."

Wilson is coming off a season in which two injuries to his left hand limited him to 59 games. The Pirates have made known their desire to trade him but are believed to have had difficulty generating interest because of his injuries.

The Pirates should hold onto Craig Wilson. He's an expensive insurance policy and back-up player, but with this cast of starters, he figures to see plenty of playing time. Plus, if the rest of the league is not sold on the strength of his grip, they should only trade him now, while his stock is low, if they too doubt he can impress anyone in the first half of 2006.