Craig Wilson Trade Talk Halted by Casey's Injury

The best trades, so the old adage goes, are the ones you don't make. The Pirates dodged a bullet when trade talks with Seattle and other teams for outfielder/first baseman Craig Wilson stalled long enough for Pittsburgh to withdraw. The team no longer can spare Wilson now that starting first baseman Sean Casey will be out for up to two months. Wilson, playing while Casey missed action earlier because of injured ribs, was leading the team in offensive production with three homers and a .375 BA. Casey, who had just returned from his rib injury, was hurt again Friday when he fractured his lower back. Critics accused the club of rushing Casey back to action and causing him to miss more time by playing before he was ready, but the two injuries are unrelated.