First Giancarlo Stanton, now Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson.
The New York Yankees acquired Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson from the Texas Rangers for future considerations, the club announced Wednesday.
Wilson is expected to be in Major League camp in March and will participate in pregame workouts with the club. And while he has no plans to be a two-sport star, the Pro Bowl quarterback said he will "embrace the chance to be a New York Yankee."
He will be assigned to the Class AA Trenton roster.
“After talking to a number of our players, there is a genuine excitement in having Russell join us for a short time in camp," GM Brian Cashman said in a statement. "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 Tampa, he'll be surrounded by plenty of football talent. Stanton was a gifted wide receiver in high school who turned down a USC scholarship to sign with the Marlins. Fellow slugger Aaron Judge had football scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Stanford and UCLA, but opted to focus on baseball at Fresno State.
CC Sabathia
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@CC_Sabathia
About to win the next World Series and Super Bowl 🤣🤣
Wilson, a second baseman, was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round in 2010. He played two years in the minors in Low A and Class A -- batting .228 with five home runs in 315 at-bats for Tri-City of the Northwest League and Asheville of the South Atlantic League in 2010 and 2011. He transferred from North Carolina State to Wisconsin in part because he wanted to maintain his commitment to baseball, but didn't play again professionally after the Seahawks drafted him in the third round in 2012.
In 2013, the Rangers selected Wilson in the Rule 5 draft; he made spring training appearances in 2014 and 2015.
"I want to personally thank the Texas Rangers for giving me the chance to experience professional baseball again," Wilson said in a statement. "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."
New York Yankees
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@Yankees
We have acquired INF @DangeRussWilson from the Rangers in exchange for future considerations. Wilson is expected to be at camp in March.
