Replies are transcribed as accurately as memory allows :- ) ... the verbiage was different than below but the sense and tone is, I believe, directly on track.

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Q:  What does the Wilson extension mean to the Mariners?  (heh - jjc)

Capt Jack:  He will be our starting shortstop for the next two years. 

Last year, he had all kinds of problems at the plate, but he was injured -- two hamstrings and a bad ankle.  "The doctors are very pleased with where he's at."

He is a defensive specialist and a pesky hitter, will hit much better than he showed here.  Per all of the various defensive metrics out there, Wilson is the top-rated defensive shortstop in baseball.

It was important to solidify the shortstop position.  "You can't win without defensive stalwarts in your lineup," especially SS and CF, and with Franklin out there, we now have two superb defensive players.  

Anybody will tell you, if you can't catch a ground ball, you can't win.

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Dr's Diagnosis:  So the guy hit for a 51 OPS+ in Seattle, in the American League, and they're willing to marry him as their AL shortstop for two years.

This is obviously a statement from them that Wilson will be able to hit -- at least for a (say) 75 OPS+.

I don't doubt it -- as we said day-of-trade, Wilson's spray-the-ball-around-the-field, high-CT game should provide enough hits here and there.

I'm encouraged by the Mariners' own judgment on Wilson's bat.  In this case, I'm sitting in the student's chair listening to the prof tell me how it is.  I'll trust him on this one.

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As we've said:

(1) Jack Wilson is the kind of SS you win a pennant with -- challenges opponents, battles tough pitchers, plays to win.

(2) Wilson is a Yankee-style SS playing in a Yankee-style park -- primarily defensive in the value he adds, sprays the ball around the park, so isn't subject to having his value taken away by the deep left-center alley.

(3) I like glove-first players at SS and CF.

(4) I don't doubt for one second that Wilson is the very best defensive shorstop in the game.

 (5) I flat-out enjoy watching Jack Wilson play baseball.

(6) Like IceX reminds, it will behoove the M's to have a quality backup SS.

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Q from Brock:  What does the leadership aspect mean, both with Wilson and Junior?

Capt Jack:  Well, I think that the manager is the main leader.  Don Wakamatsu is the field general. 

It is also nice to have guys who step between the white lines and add their leadership to the manager's.  

Wilson is a very smart ballplayer and the intangibles that he adds are a big part of why he's here.

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Dr's Diagnosis:  In GM-speak?  The inmates don't run the asylum on my watch.   We are in charge and that is the way it will be.

That understood, sure, team captains are the next rung down.

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BTW, it was one more interview in which we were impressed with Zduriencik's general presence and command.  As you know, we liked the GM pick, but didn't wave the pom-pom's the way others did.  As time goes on, we become more and more confident that Zduriencik is an excellent major league General Manager.

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On trade day, Zduriencik far-sightedly emphasized that he now had several months to sell Wilson on the org and on the West Coast, and that's what he did.

It will be interesting to see if the M's saved $$dinero on Wilson to deploy elsewhere.  Sounds like they will.

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Part II