We're getting word from the Mercury News that Brian Wilson will play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The noted closer, who took center stage when the Giants won the World Series in 2010, hasn't tossed a Major League pitch since April 2012.
More:
According to multiple reports, Wilson has signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Wilson was drafted by the Giants in 2003 and 171 saves in seven seasons in San Francisco.
Wilson had a second Tommy John surgery last April and parted ways with the Giants in the offseason. The team left the door open for Wilson to return when healthy and closely monitored the rehab process. Twice in recent weeks, Giants bullpen catcher Billy Hayes caught Wilson at USF, and pitching coach Dave Righetti watched one of the outings.
This means that Wilson signed a deal with the minor league team with an MLB buyout. Same thing S.F. did with Burrell in 2010 and Francoeur this year. But before we get too mad at Wilson, let's remember that the Giants nixed him first. Regarding the switch, SI reports, "The Giants declined to offer Wilson a $6.8 million deal after they won the World Series in 2012, the minimum contract to retain Wilson’s rights." (At least he's not a Yankee.) Still, we have to wonder if this was a spite move.
More to come.
