Red Sox Deny Seeking Craig Wilson

The Red Sox have denied a published report out of Pittsburgh that the team is contemplating a trade of SP Matt Clement for Pirates OF-1B Craig Wilson. Wilson, 29, whose season was all but ruined by injuries last year, hit 29 HR in 561 AB in '04. But he has become somewhat superfluous with the Pirates acquisition of ex-Red 1B Sean Casey, who is projected to bat third in the Pirates batting order. Casey, who hit only four HR last year, is a perennial .300 hitter, and is a Pittsburgh area native. Wilson, a righty batter whose power has been somewhat limited by the deep left field wall in Pittsburgh, likely would flourish hitting off Boston's "Green Monster." His acquistion by Boston would likely push 1B Kevin Youkilis to the bench.