Puma: Mets GM not sure if team will extend Brian Wilson an offer

by on Jan 13, 2013 05:18 pm in New York Mets

Earlier today Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted that the Mets were showing strong interest in former Giants closer Brian Wilson.


The New York #Mets are showing strong interest in former #SFGiants closer Brian Wilson. GM Sandy Alderson watched him Sat in private workout
January 13, 2013 11:52 am via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@BNightengale
Bob Nightengale

Mike Puma of the New York Post followed up that new by reporting that Sandy Alderson said he was not sure if the team would be making an offer to the 30-year-old free agent:

GM Sandy Alderson watched the former Giants reliever in a private workout Saturday, The Post confirmed.  Alderson said he’s “not sure” the Mets will extend Wilson an offer.

Wilson, 30, had Tommy John surgery in April and missed most of the season. He appears on track for opening day. Wilson has 171 saves for the Giants, who won the World Series without his services in 2012. He was once known as one of the more dominant closers in baseball.

Frank Francisco was a disaster at times in the closer role for the Mets. He sported a 5.53 ERA with 23 saves last season. Francisco is still under contract and could be pushed to the eighth inning if the Mets sign Wilson.

CBSSports.com reports that six to eight teams are suitors for Wilson, who is still deciding whether he wants to close for a non-contender or be a set-up man for a team that should make the playoffs.”

Nightengale later made another tweet, almost as if to back up his original comment regarding the level of the team’s interest.


The #Mets‘ interest is so sincere in Brian Wilson that pitching coach Dan Warthen and trainer also was at teyoubt
January 13, 2013 9:05 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite
@BNightengale
Bob Nightengale

I’m glad the Mets are in the running for Wilson and that there appears to be mutual interest.  I think he can provide a real spark to a bullpen that has drained the life out of fans for the past few years and if he’s healthy could even prove to be a hot commodity as a trade chip down the stretch if the Mets are not in playoff contention.  The club reportedly has some money to spend, now let’s just hope the plan is to use it on some quality players rather than just bargains that have slipped through the cracks this offseason.

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  • DaMetsman in Washington State

    No reason not to put Wilson in the mix via an incentive laden deal, but Chad Durbin is still out there to round out the pen. Bank on Edgin and Laffey from the port side and Hefner as the swing/long man, if they sign a fifth starter (Saunders, Young or deal for Capuano. Please no Pavano!), which I believe they will. Outside of a closer (Francisco, Wilson, Capps or Soriano—but that is unlikely), it leaves right-handed setup candidates as Parnell, Familia and Burke. If they can pickup Durbin and Wilson, Familia will be in the Vegas rotation every fifth day and there will be a safety net under Francisco, who can replace Burke in a setup role. Give Alderson & Company credit for showing restraint that may yet pay off handsomely. Spring Training is still almost a month away. Starting the season with a Vegas rotation of Wheeler, Familia, Gorski, Meija and McHugh will be huge for the Mets, the 51s and each of those hurlers. We will also be able to see what kind of manager Wally really is. All that being said, it is hard to imagine that at least one of those arms won’t be moved during the next couple of weeks.

  • http://twitter.com/NymetsEsp nymets_news_esp

    It would be great to have Wilson in NY, but the situation is tricky. Signing him long term is a huge gamble after the Tommy John surgery, but I don´t know if it´s worth signing another closer on a 1 year deal. The Mets would have 2 closers for a year and then they would have to look for another one in the market once again. I would rather let Francisco close and, if he doesn´t get the job done, let one of the arms within the organization try to do the job and see if the Mets can develop a closer.