Pirates Acquired SS Izturis: Bye, Bye Jack?
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by Pittsburgh Pro Sports Report
The Pirates got backup shortstop Cesar Izturis from the Cubbies, could this be the end of Jack Wilson with the Pirates?
Wilson has been the starting shortstop since 2001, and is the highest paid/longest-tenured position player on the team. $5.25 million is Wilson's pay this year and is due to make $6.5 million next year and $7.25 million in 2009. A club option for 2010 is worth $8.4 million with a $500,000 buyout.
Izturis, who played for manager Jim Tracy with the Dodgers, is making $4.25 million on the final year of a three-year contract, though the Pirates will be on the hook only for $277,322 of that because of the Cubs' cash payment of $1,378,142 and the prorated portion Izturis already has received. But a club option for 2008 would cost the Pirates $5.85 million if they do not exercise the $300,000 buyout.
Izturis won the Gold Glove in 2004, just beating out Wilson. In his stats 2004 has been by far his best season. He is a career .258 hitter with 122 doubles, 22 Triples 11 Home Runs, 199 RBIs and 275 Strike outs.
Other possible trades are relievers Salomon Torres and Damaso Marte are being shopped in advance of Major League Baseball's July 31 trading deadline, with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees each having inquired. And Shawn Chacon, a pending free agent, could join that category if he and the Pirates fail to negotiate a new contract soon.
