May 29, 200521 yr http://torontosun.com/Sports/Baseball/2005...060288-sun.html By BOB ELLIOTT, TORONTO SUN HE WAS one of the three Blue Jays batters blamed when hitting coach Mike Barnett was fired on April 25. After starting the season as the No. 3 hitter in the Jays lineup, he was in the No. 5 spot last night in their 7-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. He has been dropped to sixth in the order a half dozen times and once his stock fell so far, he batted seventh. So, where do the Jays move Vernon Wells next? Could their centre fielder be moved in a trade? His name has been mentioned in talks with the Washington Nationals and the Texas Rangers. Now, it should be understood that Nationals general manager Jim Bowden made a phone call to ask whether a young Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter or Ivan Rodriguez was available in a trade. It also should be understood that Nationals outfielder Brad Wilkerson might be J.P. Ricciardi's favourite player in the majors for his all-out, fence-busting style of play. Will something happen? Sometimes, where there is smoke, it is a signal that leads to a trade. And sometimes, when there is talk, it is just that. "A radio reporter had been asked about a possible trade the other day," Wells said this week at the Rogers Centre. "And then I read it somewhere on the net ... The Sporting News maybe? I'm not sure." Wells has been around long enough and is mature enough to know that you can control only what you can control. Should something happen? No. Wells should not be traded. The Rangers and Jays discussed a Hank Blalock-for-Wells deal in the spring of 2002, Ricciardi's first season at the helm. Keeping Wells was an excellent move. He hit .275 with 23 homers and 100 runs batted in 2002, then hit .317 with 33 homers and 117 RBIs the following year. He batted .272, with 23 homers and 67 RBIs last season, playing only 134 games because of a right calf injury. But all is not well with Wells this season. He leads the Jays with eight homers, but is batting just .221 after an 0-for-3 last night. Does a Wilkerson-for-Wells deal make the Jays better? We don't think so. Wells did win the American League Gold Glove a year ago. While Wilkerson, 27, played all but two games for the Montreal Expos last year, 86 were at first base after Nick Johnson was injured. Wilkerson played only 18 games in centre, hitting .255 with 32 homers, 67 RBIs and a .374 on-base percentage. Wells will earn $2.9 million US this year and is owed $10.9 million on the remaining two years of the contract. Wilkinson earns $3.05 million this year. Wells turns 26 on Dec. 8 and the Nationals would love to have him patrol the spacious RFK Stadium outfield where liners turn into extra-base hits. Texas always has coveted Wells, who lives in Arlington. Bowden is looking for a bat in an effort to turn this team into a contender. Besides Wells, the Nationals have shown interest Texas' Alfonso Soriano -- who would be moved from second to the outfield -- Eric Byrnes of the Oakland A's, Preston Wilson of the Colorado Rockies and Willy Mo Pena of the Cincinnati Reds. Wells was lauded as a cornerstone of the franchise when the Jays gave him a five-year deal on St. Patrick's Day 2003. The judgment then was accurate and he should be allowed to be given the chance to be so again.
May 29, 200521 yr Wells for Wilkerson is a ripoff. Wells >>>>> Wilkerson Blalock for Wells, though, is semi close, but if anyone were to be ripped in this deal, imo, it is Texas.
May 30, 200521 yr Author Soriano from 2nd to the Outfield? 788471[/snapback] Yeah, that's been talked about before with Texas before Michael Young offered to move to shortstop. Soriano stinks defensively at second.
May 30, 200521 yr It would be nice to see Vernon Wells and Delgado reunited... ENC and Stokes for Vernon Wells . gitrdun.
May 30, 200521 yr Wells for Wilkerson is a ripoff. Wells >>>>> Wilkerson 787790[/snapback] it's a lot closer than you think
May 31, 200521 yr I'd take Wells on the Cardinals. They are looking for OF help that can start next year. Hmm..
May 31, 200521 yr It would be nice to see Vernon Wells and Delgado reunited... ENC and Stokes for Vernon Wells . gitrdun. 788717[/snapback] Be still my heart :thumbup
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