"I tell these guys, it won’t be that long before I’m home watching you play on the MLB television package and telling my son, ‘I knew this guy!’ I don’t know that I’m in the autumn of my career, but it’s sure late summer."

For Wilson, helping Ackley or any other Mariners rookie is part of an obligation he has to the team.

"I haven’t picked up my end of the bargain in Seattle, and I’ve got a bit of a chip on my shoulder because of it. I want to get it done here," Wilson said. "I was part of a trade that sent good players to Pittsburgh, then I signed a good contract to stay – and I’ve been hurt almost the entire time I’ve been here.

I can’t remember ever hearing an athlete talk about owing the team something because he’s let them down because of injuries or poor performance or something similar. Now this is two in one offseason.