Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been traded, not from the Seahawks, but from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees.
Move over Tim Tebow. You’re not the only NFL quarterback to be signed by a Major League Baseball team. The New York Yankees acquired Russell Wilson, yes that Russell Wilson, the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, in a trade with the Texas Rangers.
According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Rangers sent Wilson to the Yankees for cash considerations. He is expected to be at the Yankees Grapefruit League camp in March. The Yankees said that Wilson will be assigned to the Double-A Trenton roster.
We have acquired INF @DangeRussWilson from the Rangers in exchange for future considerations. Wilson is expected to be at camp in March.
?+⚾️ pic.twitter.com/NRyksQeQtl
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 7, 2018
“We’ve admired Russell’s career from afar for quite some time,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement.”This is a unique opportunity for us to learn from an extraordinary athlete who has reached the pinnacle of his profession.”
The Seahawks quarterback, who has expressed his desire to play to the Rangers and the Yankees, thanked the Rangers on Twitter and is excited about being with the Yankees.
Thank you Texas…Hello New York.
Always said we’d be a Yankee Pops! #MLB @Yankees https://t.co/aMnmL3SPsZ
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 7, 2018
“I want to personally thank the Texas Rangers for giving me the chance to experience professional baseball again,” he 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.”
He added, “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, who is a four-time Pro Bowler and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title in 2014, was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2010. He spent tow year in the Rockies minor league system, hitting .229 with five home runs in 93 games. The Rangers selected him in the December 2013 Rule 5 draft. He made a one-day cameo appearance at the Rangers Cactus League complex in 2014 and 2015.
Now the question is how will Wilson do in the Yankees minor league system and could he leave the Seahawks for a career in baseball?
