NYDailyNews.com

David Wells has not ruled out pitching next season and he may end up back in pinstripes, too. But if his injured back forces him to retire from baseball, there may be a way for him to remain in the game.

 

Officials from ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" show have reached out to Wells about replacing Bobby Valentine, according to a person close to the lefthander.

 

Wells became a free agent after the Yankees didn't trigger their $6 million contract option on him. He wants to pitch again, and GM Brian Cashman acknowledged earlier this week the Yanks may be interested in pursuing an incentive-laden deal. He could end up elsewhere, too, perhaps in his hometown of San Diego.

 

But he still has to go through several medical examinations because of his troublesome back, which knocked him out of Game 5 of the World Series after one inning. If Wells requires a complicated surgical procedure and extensive rehab, he may decide to quit instead.

 

That would make him available for the "Baseball Tonight" spot, which recently opened up when Valentine left to manage in Japan. No offer was made, the source said, describing the discussion as "exploratory."

 

Television opportunities are something that Wells and his advisers discussed in 2000 when the lefty hurt his back while pitching for the White Sox.

 

It would be interesting to see Wells as a member of the media. He has had a stormy relationship with reporters, alternately charming, shunning or being hostile to them.

 

However, Wells has been famously opinionated, even offering unflattering opinions of Yankee teammates in his crude autobiography, which was released last spring.

interesting, I wonder what his sportscaster style would be. Maybe similar to Charles Barkley?

Will Wells Trash or Compliment the Marlins IF he does become a Baseball Tonight Analyst?

Oh god I hope Wells doesn't go to ESPN I can't stand that guy and for him to be on my favorite show would suck.

:blink:

oh no PLEASE WELLS DONT RETIRE