Two interesting reads to verify, one written today while one was written yesterday. First the old one:

• Dean Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette said that a deal between the Pirates and Tigers was pretty close to being finalized. The deal called for the Pirates to receive two of Detroit’s top six prospects and an unnamed MLB-ready pitcher. The sticking point was how much money the Tigers would assume in the deal. Wilson is owed $14.5 million for 2008-2009. How do you say “bad contract.”

There is no way Wilson is worth one top prospect, let alone two?! This had bad deal written all over it.

And the new one:

• The other article is from Paul Meyer, also of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. This article states that Wilson could pass through waivers because of his salary and the Tigers could claim him then, assuming all of his contract but not giving up much in terms of talent. Meyer’s article also says via one of his sources, that a deal was done. The Tigers balked when the Pirates also asked for an MLB player and Meyer speculates that it was Craig Monroe together with either Dallas Trahern or Jair Jurrjens and a mid-level position player prospect.

That is way too much to give up for someone like Wilson. There are a lot more options available. What about a guy like Craig Counsell. He is a veteran who has won a World Series ring. He’s worth more than Wilson in my book.