Sources: Dodgers Seek Pirates Shortstop, Balk at Price

The Dodgers, seeking a possible replacement for free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, balked at the Pirates' asking price for shortstop Jack Wilson during recent trade talks, according to major-league sources.

The Pirates, who are discussing Wilson with several teams, wanted Dodgers shortstop Chin-Lung Hu, outfielder Delwyn Young and a third young player, sources say.

The teams spoke as recently as Monday, according to one source, but currently are at an impasse. The Dodgers first tried to obtain Wilson in early July, when Furcal was recovering from back surgery. It was then that the Pirates expressed their initial interest in Hu.

Wilson, signed for $7.25 million next season with an $8.4 million club option for 2010, would fit for the Dodgers as a short-term bridge to the organization's top shortstop prospect, Ivan DeJesus Jr.

The Dodgers, however, are not willing to pay a high price in prospects or dollars for Wilson, who is a below-average offensive player.

On the free-agent front, they are showing mild interest in free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria but not Orlando Cabrera, believing that Cabrera would require too long a contract, sources say.

In addition to shortstop, the Dodgers are trying to fill holes at third base and left field, as well as in their starting rotation and bullpen. They could open next season with Angel Berroa and Hu at short, with DeJesus possibly joining the club at mid-season.

The Tigers also are showing interest in Wilson, but can not offer a major-league ready shortstop at the level of Hu, a gifted defender who has batted only .193 in his 145 major-league at-bats.

Furcal appears headed to the A's, Giants or an unidentified third club. The Dodgers are balking at giving him a four-year deal, and so far have made only an inquiry on Renteria.

Cabrera is drawing interest from four clubs, while Renteria continues to talk with the Giants and other teams. The Cardinals, Orioles, Tigers, Indians and Blue Jays are among the other clubs with possible or definite needs at short.

Wilson, who turns 32 on Dec. 29, is not a worthy offensive replacement for Furcal — his career on-base percentage is .312 while his career slugging mark is .375. His defense, however, remains strong.

The Dodgers, operating on a number of fronts, have made a bid to retain free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, continue to talk with free-agent third baseman Casey Blake and are expected to make a run at free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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