Russell Wilson was traded Wednesday — not by the Seahawks, but by the Texas Rangers, who dealt the Pro Bowl quarterback and former minor league second baseman to the New York Yankees for “future considerations,” whatever they might be. Wilson is not expected to don major league pinstripes, but is expected to appear at New York’s training camp in Florida sometime this spring.
Wilson has long expressed a desire to play for the Yankees. According to ESPN, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and his New York counterpart, Brian Cashman, spent “several weeks” (nothing better to do?) working to accommodate Wilson’s wishes.
“We’ve admired Russell’s career from afar for quite some time,” Cashman said in a statement. “This is a unique opportunity for us to learn from an extraordinary athlete who has reached the pinnacle of his profession.”
The 29-year-old Wilson, who led the NFL with 34 touchdown passes last season, has two years of minor league experience, but nada since joining the Seahawks as a third-round pick in 2012 out of Wisconsin.
“After talking to a number of our players, there is a genuine excitement in having Russell join us for a short time in camp,” said Cashman. “We are all looking forward to gaining insight into how he leads teammates toward a common goal, prepares on a daily basis for the rigors of his sport, and navigates the successes and failures of a season.”
Wilson will be assigned to the AA Trenton roster, the Yankees said.
Wilson tweeted his gratitude, writing, “Thank you Texas . . . Hello New York.”
In his summers away from college, Wilson played minor league ball for Tri-City of the Northwest League in 2010, batting .230 in 32 games as a second baseman. In 2011, for the Asheville Tourists of the Sally League, he hit .228 with three home runs. Tri-City and Asheville were in Colorado’s minor league system.
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Russ Wilson time to shave.