Miller: Brian Wilson Getting Close to Signing, #SFGiants a Possibility

Free Agent reliever and former San Francisco Giant, the bearded Brian Wilson is reportedly getting closer to joining a team, with the World Champions being one of the possible destinations. All this news from CBS Sports’ Scott Miller and his article, which you can read and analyze here, gives us this:

"“[The Giants and Pirates] were described by sources Monday as serious suitors for Wilson…Several clubs watched Wilson work out at UCLA last week, and the Diamondbacks and Dodgers have shown interest as well. One scout who has watched the three-time All-Star closer recently said Wilson is “getting close.” One person close to Wilson said the pitcher “feels major-league ready.””"

Oct 24, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher

(54) high fives teammate Brian Wilson prior to game one of the 2012 World Series against the Detroit Tigers at AT

While the Giants and their fans may like the bearded warrior to come back to the friendly confines of AT&T Park, the cost of his services may prevent them from getting other key pieces to their roster in the offseason, and I am not sure that sits well with me. Brian Wilson’s best season was his coming out party in 2010 where he set career highs in 74.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 2.19 FIP, 29.9 K%, 8.4% BB%, 2.5 fWAR. He pitched two innings in 2012 before he had to go for his reconstructive Tommy John surgery in April. It’s not that Brian Wilson wouldn’t be a useful piece for the overused Giants bullpen, it’s that I think another team will pay more for his services, and the Giants shouldn’t try to beat out those teams that really need his services for their playoff run in 2013.