^That player option for a second year might be a problem, though. I could see Wilson with that insane look in his eyes, suddenly pulling Kenley off his bullpen bench, dragging him away from the cameras, into that secret place beneath the bleachers, and breaking Kenley's throwing arm at the elbow - then putting his finger to his lips, indicating a "hush", and calmly walking back to his seat on the bench.
The Dodgers have reached an agreement with reliever Brian Wilson, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown. It's a one-year, $10MM deal with a second year player option. That option will range from $9-10MM depending on Wilson's number of appearances in 2014, Brown adds. Though Wilson will be receiving closer money from the Dodgers, he's fine with setting up Kenley Jansen if that's how it works out, notes Brown. Wilson signed with the Dodgers on July 30th last year after a long recovery from April 2012 Tommy John surgery.
I mean, theres risk in a guy who has barely pitched. But relievers are risky as hell regardless. Every elite reliever out there is going to cost more in terms of years probably. The only part that scares me is that second year option but our bullpen did need some help and I like him. I also trust the front office to find a random guy on a small deal to do well for us like they have in the past years.
I mean, theres risk in a guy who has barely pitched. But relievers are risky as hell regardless. Every elite reliever out there is going to cost more in terms of years probably. The only part that scares me is that second year option but our bullpen did need some help and I like him. I also trust the front office to find a random guy on a small deal to do well for us like they have in the past years.
I get it, but it's way better than another 3 year deal. I think the option is based on appearances so if he gets injured it shouldn't be a big deal in regards to that.
As long as he's a Dodger, that's all that matters. Who gives a shit how much for and what the fine print says. He pretty much shortens the game along with Kenley for the whole starting staff...invaluable over the long haul, and has beau coup playoff experience. "bout fucking time Ned. I'll buy you a drink on this one...big piece to the puzzle fixed here. Now do some other good shit, and I'll leave you alone for a time... A little while, anyway....
In this market, that's what relievers with a track record that Wilson has are going to get. Can't be too mad. He's a World Series closer, and even though he's fucking mental, he can get the job done, and gives us better options if Kenley ever goes down. Usually guys on one year deals or expiring contracts play better since they're playing for a better deal, so I expect Wilson to be lights out.
Dodgers To Re-Sign Brian Wilson By Tim Dierkes [December 5 at 1:39pm CST] The Dodgers have reached an agreement with reliever Brian Wilson, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown. It's a one-year, $10MM deal with a second year player option. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter) that the option's value is $9MM, meaning that Wilson is guaranteed at least $19MM on this two-year pact. Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio tweets that Wilson has another $700K of incentives built into each year of the deal. Though Wilson will be receiving closer money from the Dodgers, he's fine with setting up Kenley Jansen if that's how it works out, notes Brown. Paying Wilson closer money can be offset by the fact that Jansen will be paid more like a setup man, as he projects to earn $4.8MM in arbitration this offseason, per MLBTR's Matt Swartz. Wilson signed a $1MM, Major League contract with the Dodgers on July 30th last year after a long recovery from April 2012 Tommy John surgery. He returned in late August in dominant fashion, yielding just one run with a 21-to-6 K/BB ratio in 19 2/3 innings between the regular season and the playoffs. His strong showing put him in line for a significant payday on the free agent market, and there was widespread interest in the bearded flamethrower. The Tigers, Mariners and Rockies were among the other teams interested in Wilson. Wilson's player option is a nice safeguard for he and his agents at the MVP Sports Group. Should he thrive in Los Angeles as he did over his brief tenure there in 2013, he will hit the open market in the 2014-15 offseason as perhaps the top closer on the free agent market, positioning himself for a significant payday entering his age-33 season. Should he fall to injury or suffer a down season, he can simply elect to take a $9MM payday and look to cash in heading into his age-34 season, which we've seen numerous relievers do. Wilson's $10MM guarantee is slightly more than the one-year, $8.5MM guarantee that MLBTR's Steve Adams pegged him for in his free agent profile of Wilson back in late October. __
This is great news. You just have to pay a little extra to have a genuine freak in the bullpen. The beard is marketable, of course, but I wonder if they can come up with a plastic pate with long haired mohawk stuck on the top?
I must admit I was one of those people who thought bringing back Wilson wasn't going to be possible but I'm stoked about his return. Is this going to be our big free agent splash though?
This would seem to make me partly right when I said the only way he would take a deal as a non-closer would be for waaay more money than other teams offered. I can't say positively but I feel pretty good saying the Tigers didn't offer him that kind of dough. What team would offer a set up guy ten million? Most teams don't want to pay closers that well, especially when the sabre view is that closers in general are overpaid. Makes the team better and I could give a fuck about payroll. :woot:
