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Russell Wilson traded to New York Yankees

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Just days before the New York Yankees open spring training, they’ve pulled off a trade that is almost certain to get everyone’s attention.

The team announced Wednesday it has acquired the rights to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

OK, the Yankees didn’t make a trade with the Seahawks, but they did acquire the rights to Wilson via a trade with the Texas Rangers.

Some fans might not be aware that Russell played minor league baseball before he was drafted into the NFL. He’s always loved the sport, and the Rangers have invited Wilson to participate in spring training in previous seasons.

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Wilson reportedly has always wanted to don the Yankees’ classic pinstripes, so New York General Manager Brian Cashman contacted the Rangers to inquire about a trade.

In exchange for the rights to Wilson, the Rangers will receive future cash considerations from the Yankees.

Wilson announced his trade via Twitter.

Even though he’s never played a day in the majors, the Yankees are Wilson’s third MLB team. While he was attending North Carolina State, Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB amateur draft. Texas acquired Wilson’s rights via baseball’s Rule 5 Draft in December 2013.

In his Twitter post, Wilson thanked the Rangers for his time with the organization.

“I want to personally thank the Texas Rangers for giving me the chance to experience professional baseball again,” Wilson said. “Growing up taking grounders, hitting BP, and throwing deep post routes early in the mornings with my dad and brother is where my love of sports came from, and those memories stick with me every morning I wake up. I remember how excited I was when Texas selected me in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2013. During my two springs in Arizona with the Rangers, I was reminded just how much I love the game of baseball.

“While football is my passion and my livelihood, baseball remains a huge part of where I came from and who I am today. I’ve learned so much on the baseball field that translates to my game physically and mentally playing quarterback in the NFL. I thank the Rangers and their great fans for making me feel at home and a part of the family. While I embrace the chance to be a New York Yankee, I will forever be grateful to have been a part of a world class organization like the Texas Rangers.”

Wilson has given no indication he ever plans on switching from football to baseball. But Cashman said he believes the Yankees can learn from what Wilson has accomplished during his NFL career, and he looks forward to having the quarterback spend some time at the team’s spring training facility in Tampa, Florida.

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“We’ve admired Russell’s career from afar for quite some time,” Cashman said. “This is a unique opportunity for us to learn from an extraordinary athlete who has reached the pinnacle of his profession.

“After talking to a number of our players, there is a genuine excitement in having Russell join us for a short time in camp. 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.”

In his two seasons of minor-league baseball in the Rockies system, Wilson — a second baseman — hit a combined .229 in 93 games.

While  in Tampa, Wilson will participate in pregame workouts with the Yankees and be allowed to watch games from the dugout. He will be officially assigned to the roster of the Yankees’ Double-A Trenton affiliate.

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Scott Kelnhofer is a writer for The Western Journal and Conservative Tribune. A native of Milwaukee, he currently resides in Phoenix.
Scott Kelnhofer is a writer for The Western Journal and Conservative Tribune. He has more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism. A native of Milwaukee, he has resided in Phoenix since 2012.
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Media, Sports, Business Trends




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