San Francisco Giants And Brian Wilson Struggling To Agree On Contract As Deadline Nears

It’s almost impossible to imagine the San Francisco Giants being void of their “Beard” but with only a couple days left until Friday’s deadline to offer Brian Wilson a contract, things aren’t looking the greatest.

Oct 19, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Brian Wilson talks to the media before game five of the 2012 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off his second Tommy John operation, the Giants had hoped to retain their eccentric closer on an incentive laden deal, but Wilson doesn’t seem as interested in that – especially since the premium on closers is quite high. Add in the fact that Wilson returning to his closer role is unknown with the emergence (if you will) of Sergio Romo, the once almost foregone conclusion that Wilson would return seems iffy right now:

"Sources say the Giants do not want to see Wilson go and hope a deal can be struck, though one source indicated the Giants and Wilson have not seen eye to eye on how to proceed."

Due for arbitration if no deal was struck, the Giants couldn’t offer Wilson anything lower than just under $7 million dollars for the upcoming season – a far too hefty price given the unknown about his injury.

Wilson on the other hand doesn’t feel the same – given his performance in past seasons and the fact that he pitched essentially injured during the Giants’ 2010 World Series run, the Bearded one feels the Giants need to pony up and pay not only for what he feels he can do, but for what he has done.

So here we sit – in a stalemate. Who blinks first?