BurlyMan56 Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Courtesy of www.foxsports.com Complete Story Version While the Padres remain the overwhelming favorites to sign free-agent left-hander David Wells, the pitcher also is drawing interest from the Blue Jays, another of his former clubs. The Jays would like to sign Wells, FOXSports.com has learned, but are skeptical they will get the chance. Wells, 43, lives in San Diego, and wants to rejoin his hometown Padres, for whom he pitched in 2004 and again in '06. Wells' agent, Gregg Clifton, is expected to speak Wednesday with Padres general manager Kevin Towers. The Jays would enter the picture if the two sides can not reach a deal. Wells has indicated that he would be willing to return to the Jays, his original team. He played in Toronto from 1987-92 and also in 1999 and 2000. The Jays, who recently reached agreement with free-agent right-hander John Thomson on a one-year, $500,000 contract, were forced to explore other rotation options after being rejected by free-agent lefty Ted Lilly and righty Gil Meche. At the very least, the Jays' interest in Wells indicates that they still are not satisfied with the state of their rotation beyond right-handers Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett and left-hander Gustavo Chacin. The team has discussed trading outfielder Alex Rios for a starting pitcher. Wells and right-handers Roger Clemens and Jeff Weaver are the most prominent free agents remaining on the market. Clemens isn't interested in returning to Toronto and Weaver struggled with the Yankees in 2002 and '03 during his lone stint in the A.L. East. Wells appeals to the Jays because he won 15 games for an A.L. East club as recently as 2005, when he was with the Red Sox. Over the past 11 seasons, he has pitched for every A.L. East team but the Devil Rays - and at the moment, he's relatively healthy. Wells underwent surgery on his right knee after the '05 season and missed six weeks early last season due to lingering knee soreness. In his first start back, the Devil Rays' Travis Lee hit a line drive that struck him in the same knee, forcing Wells to sit out another two months. The pitcher, however, finished strong, going 3-4 with a 3.03 ERA in his final 10 regular-season starts for the Red Sox and Padres. He then lost Game 2 of the Division Series to the Cardinals, allowing two earned runs in five innings. Wells is 230-148 lifetime with a 4.07 ERA. I'm sure you all remember the trouble when both ended up injured in 2001. David Wells called out Frank when it turned out he tore his triceps...More than a month later, Wells couldn't play through back pain and ended up having a good year with the Yanks the following year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 (edited) Since he started with them, he might sign one year, then retire if he can't compete. Look at that guy. Half the man he is now... Edited January 17, 2007 by knightni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLAK Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Big Frank, David Wells AND Royce Clayton. They are putting the old band back together, is Jerry Manuel coming over to manage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle Buffalo Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 QUOTE(TLAK @ Jan 18, 2007 -> 04:56 AM) Big Frank, David Wells AND Royce Clayton. They are putting the old band back together, is Jerry Manuel coming over to manage? Doubt it...Manuel was traded for a microphone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 QUOTE(TLAK @ Jan 18, 2007 -> 05:56 AM) Big Frank, David Wells AND Royce Clayton. They are putting the old band back together, is Jerry Manuel coming over to manage? Damn, they could turn that lockerroom into a reality show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Meh. He signed with SD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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