The Texas Rangers announced Wednesday they have traded the rights to Seahawks QB Russell Wilson to the Yankees for future considerations.
According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, Wilson is expected to appear at the Yankees’ Grapefruit League camp in Tampa, Florida, sometime in February or March.
However, sources familiar with the situation have told Crasnick that Wilson has no plans to play both baseball and football like Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson did several years ago.
Interestingly enough, Crasnick adds that Wilson has long expressed a desire to play for the Yankees and the Rangers worked with New York to accommodate his wishes.
Wilson released the following statement thanking the Rangers for making this move.
“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, 29, actually played two seasons of professional baseball as a second baseman in the Rockies system before returning to college to continue his football career at Wisconsin.
The Rangers selected Wilson off of the Rockies’ roster in the 2013 Rule 5 draft and he actually took part in their Cactus League in 2014 and 2015.
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