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Now a Sox, Wilkerson aims high
By Ian Browne / MLB.com


FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Brad Wilkerson never wished any harm on Mark Kotsay. But at the same time, when Kotsay was forced to undergo back surgery in January, Wilkerson, a free agent, suddenly saw a pretty enticing opportunity to play for the Boston Red Sox.

Shortly thereafter, Wilkerson agreed to terms with the Red Sox on a Minor League deal, which was finally announced on Monday, as the veteran passed his physical and then worked out with the rest of the team.

Wilkerson will try to win a job as Boston's backup first baseman and fifth outfielder, a role Kotsay could be ready to reclaim by early May.


"I think when you have an opportunity to play with an organization with this history and all the great things that have been going on the last couple of years, it's a great opportunity for me to find a role at first base and the outfield and help this team win a lot of ballgames," said Wilkerson.


Of course, Wilkerson nearly signed a deal with the Red Sox a year ago, only to sign with the Mariners instead.


"Last year was very close," the 31-year-old Wilkerson said. "The business of baseball steered me away from it. I felt there was a better opportunity in Seattle last year, and it didn't work out."


The decision not to sign with Boston wound up being the start of a bad 2008 for the left-handed-hitting Wilkerson, who was released by the Mariners on May 7 before hooking on with the Blue Jays.


Wilkerson got 264 at-bats in 2008, batting .220 with four homers and 28 RBIs.

"It was really tough, just to go to Seattle and to not perform up to my capabilities and to not get the at-bats I wanted to get and on and on," said Wilkerson. "Then I felt like I got off to a pretty good start in Toronto and then they made some changes. That's the way the business of baseball is. I feel like I re-dedicated myself to training and working hard and getting ready for the season."


Wilkerson has shown power in the not too distant past, belting 20 homers in 338 at-bats for the Rangers in 2007.


Mariners complete deal — for Wilkerson

By Larry Stone
Seattle Times staff reporter

 

Mariners manager John McLaren countered the notion that the signing of free-agent outfielder Brad Wilkerson on Thursday meant that the Adam Jones trade to Baltimore was finally on track for completion.

"We wanted this guy no matter what," McLaren said by phone from Arizona. "We've been talking about him for a long time. His versatility is huge. We can use him a lot of different ways."


However, Wilkerson's role on the 2008 Mariners figures to vary considerably based on the outcome of the Mariners' efforts to obtain Erik Bedard for a package headed by Jones.

The Baltimore Sun reported that a resolution on the stalled trade would come one way or another in the next 48 hours.

 

If Jones winds up going to Baltimore, the 30-year-old Wilkerson, who bats and throws left-handed, stands to be a regular outfielder for the Mariners. But if not, Jones is slated to start in right field.

Wilkerson would likely be a "super-sub," filling in mostly in the outfield corners as well as at first base and designated hitter.


Wilkerson signed a one-year contract for $3 million, with a chance to make another $2 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.


"I feel I'll be battling for an everyday job in spring training," he said. "I feel I have an opportunity to win that job. If it doesn't happen, I feel I'll still have a lot of at-bats in right field and all over the outfield, and get time at first base. I'll have a good opportunity to help the ballclub."


"I feel I'm the healthiest I've been since the start of the '05 season," he said. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to be the player I've been in the past."

"I'm hoping to throw a bullpen," Sherrill said, "and then we'll just wait and see what happens."