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Brian Wilson has let the Dodgers know he is picking up his 2015 Player Option for $9.0 MIL.
The character Reliever, did not have a great season with Los Angeles, however he straightened it out in the 2nd half, and added a 1/3rd of an inning in the Postseason, to run his lifetime total to 18 scoreless innings to start his playoff career.
The man has a proven playoff pedigree and it baffled me on the reluctance to use the bearded fellow. Maybe we will find out his was really hurt, from what seemed to plague him from the 1st half.
Clayton Kershaw aside, no one had a worse trip to Australia and back then Wilson. as he came back with injuries to his back and neck, stemming from the quick turnaround flight after playing 2 games in Sydney.
The 32 Year Old Wilson posted a 5.66 ERA – and a 1.847 WHIP prior to the ALL – Star Break in 30.1 IP.
Post ALL – Star he was more familiar to what he has authored in career, having a 3.00 ERA and a 1.147 WHIP in his last 18.1 IP.
Wilson came to the Dodgers in August of 2013, after he recovered from a 2nd Tommy John Surgery that had sidelined him since April of 2012.
Brian Wilson was given. Wilson has a 3.30 ERA in 382 IP worth of work in career, with 173 Saves in 201 Chances for an 86.1 % conversion Rate, despite blowing 4 of 5 Save Chances this last year. Wilson is a 3 Time ALL – Star and a 2 time World Series Winner. His winning pedigree should continue to be used prominently in the Dodgers Pitching Relief Core. Wilson 1st had TJ Surgery in 2003, and went for the procedure again in 2012. He is among just a few relievers – who have 150+ Saves after the surgery.
The former Giants Closer yielded just 1 ER in his 19.2 IP worth of work in the regular season and playoffs. There was enough shown there that the Dodger Blue signed him to a 1 YR/$10 MIL deal, and gave Wilson the player option for a 2nd year at $9.9 MIL.
Yes that is a lot of money for a late inning arm, but if he can return to his form like in previous years, you are talking about one of the better lock down arms we have seen in the last 6 – 8 years.
The RHP has had an up and down career, but at one point nailed down 163 Saves in a 4 year stretch from 2008 – 2011. While that is not always an indicator of how well a chucker throws, he has one of the better HR/Per 9 IP rates, and has been unhittable in the postseason during his stints.
I would have liked for Don Mattingly to have used him more than players that were brought in. Again, I will pardon Donnie Baseball if Wilson was hurt.
I am not saying this man is the preeminent of all Bullpen throwers right now, but when all of the chips have been laid out on the table, he has thrown the equivalent of 2 complete game Shutouts in the Postseason for his lifetime.
Big games don’t faze the guy. Hopefully with a full offseason, and playing for another contract next campaign, Wilson will thrive in Hollywood once more.
The 32 Year Old is no dummy when it comes to business acumen as well. In late July 2013, he witnessed the Dodgers wreaking havoc on all of the NL West, but still need some help from the Relief Core, Wilson pounced at the opportunity knocking – by agreeing with the LA franchise on July.30/2013. He knew he could help them with his playoff proven track record. The “bearded one” did not disappoint in 2013, only surrendering 1 ER in 19.2 IP worth of work in the regular season and playoffs – earning himself a new contract with the Dodger Blue. 2014 wasn’t as kind to the two-time ALL – Star and World Seres Champion. In the Postseason, you need guys with moxy that Wilson possesses. If He can win a title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015, that would be incredible to have rings with both of the Giants and The Dodgers.
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Tagged: 2013 NLCS, 2014 NLDS, 2015 dodgers bullpen, brian wilson, Brian Wilson career earnings, Brian Wilson Contract For 2015, clayton kershaw, Dodger Stadum, don mattingly, la dodgers, Los Angeles, nl west, san francisco giants, sydney australia, tommy john surgery list
