17
2013
Mets Don’t Fear The Beard, Haven’t Closed Door On Wilson
An article by 
Updated On Jan. 17 by Joe D.
From Marc Carig of Newsday, the latest on The Beard:
Source: Mets still haven’t closed the door on a major league deal for former Giants closer Brian Wilson.
Fear the Beard Rumors!
Updated On Jan. 16 by Joe D.
This from Mike Puma of the NY Post:
Brian Wilson probably shouldn’t change his ring tone to “Meet the Mets” anytime soon.
According to a baseball source, the veteran closer didn’t impress the Mets during his workout at UCLA on Saturday and wasn’t deemed worthy of a major league contract at this point in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Wilson, the source said, wasn’t interested in a minor league deal.
“Physically, he’s not ready,” the source said. “He’s got a ways to go.”
We haven’t heard the last of this yet. There’s only a few household names left on the market, and the Mets will keep up the pretense that they are engaging these players as long as they can.
Updated On Jan. 14 by Joe D.
Sandy Alderson watched former San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson in a private workout Saturday, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
However, Mike Puma of the New York Post confirmed the Mets are not likely to pursue the one-time closer, “Alderson said he’s not sure the Mets will extend Wilson an offer.”
Fueling that is the fact Wilson wants a major league deal and the Mets are still only doling out minor league deals until further notice.
Wilson is returning from Tommy John surgery and will reportedly be ready for the start of the season.
I thought Wilson would be a good target for the Mets which you can read below,…
Original Post
The San Francisco Giants declined to tender a one-year contract to their former closer, Brian Wilson, thus making him a free agent as he recovers from a second ligament-replacement surgery on his right elbow.
Wilson, 30, earned $8.5 million during his injury-shortened 2012 season, and according to CBA rules could not be tendered less than $6.8 million for the 2013 season.
The Giants will try to sign him for a lower price, but Wilson has hinted that he prefers to move on and sign with a new team after learning he would be non-tendered.
Before his injury shortened 2012 season, Wilson went 6-4 with a 3.11 ERA and 36 saves in 57 appearances in 2011 for the Giants.
The three-time All-Star was one of the league’s most dominant closers before his elbow problems, but given the incredible advances with Tommy John Surgery, I wouldn’t be averse to giving him a shot to close for the Mets.
The procedure is not as scary and career threatening as it once was, and some pitchers are back on a mound in as little as seven months after surgery with no loss in velocity.
With Wilson most likely looking for a chance to close on a one year deal to establish his value, the Mets might be just the opportunity he’d be looking for.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Can you imagine the atmosphere in the bullpen if say the Beard and Byrdak were hangout out together?
They could probably have their own reality show those two.
Too funny!
My issue with Wilson is not really the fact he’s coming off his SECOND TJ Surgery (remember this was not the first time he had it) – though that is a concern. My main issue is that 2011 season.
54K, 31BB and 50Hits Allowed as a closer. So that’s 83 runners on base (with HBP) in 55 innings. That’s really not good.
Pairing that with the fact his team just let him walk after his 2nd surgery – I’d stay away if any significant $ had to be thrown his way.
He pitched hurt in 2011, ignoring pain in elbow. Pretty sure he got shut down before season ended because he realized he could be causing mire damage. Then he decided rest would be ok in offseason. Wrong answer, bad call, costly and stupid decisions by him.
If that is true and I know Wilson said that – it’s even more of a red flag. Wilson said his elbow began hurting in 2010.
“Two thousand ten, if you want to be honest. I was pitching on borrowed time last year.”
That quote and a SECOND Tommy John Surgery is very telling.
His own team wouldn’t give him a 1 year deal coming off the surgery so should other teams look to give him more than that? No way.
It’s the same situation as Pelfrey. One year deal for $6-7 million no, $2-3 million yes.
A big difference is to my knowledge this was Pelfrey’s 1st TJSurgery.
I know Isringhausen had 3 right? Soria just had his 2nd… Devine had 2. I’m not sure of others with multiple TJSurgeries. I know 1 surgery ok, 2 – not so much
Wagner had 2 TJs as well. And I’d have to say it didn’t really affect him that last season he pitched for the Braves..
i’m not saying its impossible. I am merely suggesting it’s more unlikely and giving him more than 1 year is very dangerous
Out of curiousity – when was Wagner’s 1st TJS? In ’00 he tore his flexor tendon in June I think – but that wasn’t TJSurgery…. I could be wrong but I think he only had 1 tommy john
I went and looked it up and it appears you are correct.
In 2000 he did have a torn flexor tendon. In 2008, along with TJ surgery he also had a torn flexor tendon fixed while they were in there. I knew I read it was 2 of something……
How much of his Salary goes to the dancers in his beard?
I would be very happy to sign this guy.
Put Francisco and Parnell in the 7th and 8th and we could solve a lot of pen issues.
Besides he might actually be a slight draw to the stadium.
Friend of mine (Giants fan) told me that Wilson is gonna shave his beard (FINALLY!) in an effort for a new start.
I’m here in the bay area and follow the Giants (of course I’m a mets fan)
But there is no word of him shaving his beard…It’s his whole brand.. maybe he cuts it a little but no confirmation as of yet.
There is $6.5M to Frank saying the mets go no where near him
Unless of course, they move Francisco into middle relief. Problem solved.
There is NO WAY this regime eats $6.5M by moving him to middle relief or setup man….
NO WAY!!!
Especially with so much freaking holes they have to fill…..Wilson is just wishful thinking!
Yeah, you’re right. There’s no way the regime won’t let that happen. I mean, they didn’t even eat money to let go of a crap left fielder…..oh wait.
Well they are eating it no matter what they do…
But if they went and got this guy it would be a lot easier for them to bury thier mistake in an inning that most people wouldn’t feel is as critical as the 9th inning situation.
They already admitted they made a mistake letting K-Rod go…
This guy is almost as good and cheaper to boot.
Hi Metsie,
Though they didn’t admit they made a mistake, just the fact that the Mets were considering getting KRod back is enough evidence to prove his departure had nothing to do with bullpen concerns. And that his former mates wanted him back as well.
Of course, as we all know Sandy was a buyer (sic) when articles typical of the attached were published….
http://metsblog.com/news/mets-considering-krod-who-players-will-welcome-back/
I would go for it. Just would be too little too late in not punting the 2013 season away.
But I’m sure Sandy was watching Wilson only as an observer – not an evaluator. His baseball people are. And they were the ones who advised him on getting all those other great arms that he did – Capuano, Francisco, Young, etc., etc. and so forth.
I would feel more confident if his baseball people told him to forget it, Wilson is shot and then Jeffy stepped in and insisted on the signing. It’s not that I feel Jeff would have any insight about Wilson but rather that the Mets have been wrong about just every player they obtained or sent off – so if they don’t want him, logic shows that he must be good.
Hi Joey D,
Wilson is shot? How? Because of 2 TJS? Please. Wasn’t it all that long ago the Mets picked up another guy who had 2 TJS’s and they let him walk too soon, watching him do well in LA?
Hi Hitman,
Huh?
Wasn’t it obvious I was making a sarcastic remark about Sandy’s people ability to evaluate talent? It consisted of Sandy’s people telling him Wilson was shot so it would really be the complete opposite and Jeffy would insist on signing him.
How can this infer that I was saying his arm was shot – especially when I said the Mets should go for it?
“I would feel more confident if his baseball people told him to forget it, Wilson is shot and then Jeffy stepped in and insisted on the signing. It’s not that I feel Jeff would have any insight about Wilson but rather that the Mets have been wrong about just every player they obtained or sent off – so if they don’t want him, logic shows that he must be good.”
I hope this is not another example of people just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on somebody but rather a case of reading something too quickly.
Yeah, I caught it right after I hit “Post Comment”. This is one of those times I wish there was a “edit” feature to comments. My fault.
Hi Hitman,
Nyuk, Nyuk.
Don’t sweat it, pal.
I would love to have his attitude on this team. NH represent!
B.W. could make a ton of $$ in N.Y. on endorsements … that beard would pay for itself. The bullpen has some good middle relief type arms but they got exposed when Francisco faltered. They need an anchor with some attitude to take the pressure off Francisco. Even in Toronto when he was good there always seemed to be other closer options around. I don’t think Francisco is the kind of shut down guy you can rely on for a full season. If the Wilson healthy I think it’s a no-brainer, 2 – 3 million for a year, get it done. FEAR THE BEARD!
This is exactly the kind of guy this FO needs to target to rebuild. Low risk, high reward.
I’m actualy surprised he is available at all…
TJ Surgery isn’t the risk it once was and in some cases Pitchers improve coming off it.
I’m not sure how much he wants but I would love to have a guy like that hanging around the lockeroom and the Bullpen.
Uh, no thanks.
Sure, he’s worth a flyer. He’s a fun character and was really good in 2009 and 2010.
Maybe something creative like a 1-year, 3-million $ deal with a few incentives to get it to 5 million and a team option for 2014 at 9 million…
I say sign him up. Time to bring Fear the Beard here in Queens.
I thought Sandy learned his lesson last year and wasnt going to target high priced free agents but instead numerous inexpensive relievers???
No way Wilson takes less than $6M per….I’d rather they collect cheaper guys like Capps, Matt Lindstrom, Cameron Loe, Bobby Jenks and even Francisco Rodriguez.Then have a competition between the younger kids in our system for one of the other bullpen spots. After-all we are rebuilding.
I dont like it at all….spending that much on the bullpen yet skimping on the everyday lineup. This would be a repeat of last years debacle.
Capps? Pass. Has Jenks been given the green light to even play again after the botched surgery he had? K-Rod? No way in hell.
Personally, I wish they’d sign both Lidstrom and Capps. No way Francisco should go into this year comfortable, IE the chosen closer.
Depending upon the medical reports and what the baseball people saw, I could see $2M plus incentives.
We’ve got nothing to lose,anyone is an upgrade over Francisco..
Ummm, don’t we need to be ahead in the 9th for a closer??
Im all about it. Parnell can learn alot from him and he could ney a prospect at the trade deadline. Pitching well he could net a good prospect. Or we offer him arbitration and get a prospect for him. The only thing we lose hear is a little bit of money. They should sign Delmon Young, Matt Lindstrom & Sean Marcum. These players may all try and re establish value on a one year contract. Also Bourne i’m not a fan of at all however if he’s still around after the draft and we can land on a three year deal without having to give up our pick it cant hurt. Unless he wants to sign a one year deal also.
This compinsation now is going to hurt some fringe players cause while teams want to sign they dont want to loose pick & the slot value of the pick. We should try to use to our advantage. Not so much in the bulpen or starting rotation because we have lots of depth there in the minors and I’d rather watch our young guys develop. However, we have no outfield prospect that would be done a disservice by being blocked.
Luna, Legaras & Nimmo are the 3 outfielders I’m looking forward to seeing the most & Legaras is probably closest to mlb. He is probably 2 years away. Luna once he comes stateside is going to fly thru our system. We are talking years of development sign some outfielders that dont suck. Nieuwenhuis might be a decent regular he’s taken time to adjust at every level but once he turns the corner its on. So I think last year he didnt make any adjustments and then got jerked around. This year maybe he will get to make adjustments and hit his way out of slumps. When he came up he looked like he was gona be a player. Duda has very limited potential he wont me Adam Dunn he may be Matt Stairs. Brown that we picked up may be decent he’s always been blocked but with regular at bats may be able to show why he was once a top prospect. Hitting 20 homers for him may be possible or maybe hi is a AAAA player.
Our team don’t make moves any more so anything makes us happy. This off season would be a good one though if we added a bat, relievers & a starter. The guys I mentioned wont break the bank or hurt development.
“Im all about it. Parnell can learn alot from him……….”
Yes he can.
“How to grow _ ____ __ _____”
You fill in the blanks
Are balls one of those blanks?
Yes Sir.
DJMurphy,
Please expand on Luna. I know NOTHING about him and would love to know more.
Wilmer Flores vs Murphy at 2nd base on defense would probably be the same. We should trade Murphy unless they want him to show a little more power before they trade. Trade him to Oakland where it seems like they always need a 3b his best position. Flores has crazy bat speed and is developing power. For a second baseman he would have plus plus power. Do this n make the moves i mentioned up top & or line up will look good
Nieuwenhuis
Tejada
Wright
Young
Davis
Flores
Duda/Hairston
Buck/D’Arnold
Unless we could find a way to bring back Crisp in that trade for Murph
we’ll probably end up trading Ike and Murph/Flores will play 1B/2B
knowing the mets, they’ll rotate in Justin Turner and Jordany Valdespin depending on what stat Depo and JP decide to use that day
Against RHP in light rain conditions at night, Jordany Valdespin is batting a scorching .800 ( in 10 AB )
Against LHP in humid conditions during Sunday afternoon games, Daniel Murphy has a .700 OPS
The Mets must’ve read my comments a week ago when I said:
Mitch Petanick January 6, 2013 at 9:23 pm .
Scenario that would fit if they do actually spend the $25m:
Marcum, Brian Wilson, Hairston and a flier on Sizemore. I think Brian Wilson will quickly fill the void left in Mets fans hearts from losing Dickey with his quirky personality.
Well I wish they would read you a bit more! LOL
I also agree he would be a good personality to have around and while he won’t make up for the loss of Attendance from Dickey he would serve as a bit of a draw if he isn’t struggling.
Indeed, Marcum, Wilson and Hairston would be a nice haul to make the 2013 team a bit more competitive. Doubt it’ll take more than a total of 15 to 18 million $ for this year, plus maybe an option year for the pitchers and a 2nd guaranteed year for Hairston.
Sizemore is more like a Brandon Webb / Mark Prior sort of project. He has indicated that he won’t sign before he is ready to play – which he apparently isn’t. Might be a good flyer if & when the current outfield alignment shows it’s not able to perform at major league caliber levels.
This is the problem with sites like this. Your sourced article does not come to the conclusion that “Mets are not likely to pursue the one-time closer”. Either you made that up, have another source “unlikely” or you cant read.
What in the world are you talking about? It is clearly stated in the sourced article…maybe you need help with reading there smarty pants.
Not sure where in the article it says “the Mets are not likely to pursue the one-time closer”. In the article, the quote in question states: Alderson said he’s “not sure” the Mets will extend Wilson an offer. That doesn’t mean that they are not likely to pursue him. That could just be smoke – put it this way: he’s not going to come out to the media and say “oh, we’re definitely offering him a contract right now, this guy looked so good in our tryout!”
Hey Numb-nuts, how can they pursue someone whom they wont offer a contract??? You think they would woo him into playing for the Mets sending him a box of chocolates…Invite him to a candle light dinner with Mr.Met
Where are you Bozo’s coming from? criticizing the site without just cause, everyday?
Metsblog HQ? AA HQ? Or Wilpon University?
This has to be TruthsAboutMurphy posting under different names…Smells just like him…Only he makes ridiculous accusations like this
It definitely does say in the second paragraph of the sourced NY Post article:
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.
And it definitely makes sense that the Mets won’t offer him a contract since he probably won’t accept a minor league deal.
Still doesn’t mean it’s not likely, though. It merely means that he’s “not sure”, like the quote says. Maybe he has to talk with his talent evaluators. Maybe they’re in talks with another reliever and trying to decide where to go now. Maybe he is going to make an offer but said to the media that he’s “not sure” because he doesn’t want other teams to jump in.
I agree, I was just joking about the minor league deal due to the Mets track record with signing major league deals the past couple of years.
Doesn’t mean it IS likely either…It does work both ways and it sure seems the quote leans towards LESS likely than even just LIKELY!
So Sandy saw him 1st hand. If they think he looks good enough at this point that they feel comfortable he will be ready to go early in the season, there really is no reason not to sign him. A Soria/Madson-type deal will fit the Mets budget, and the bearded one can be pretty sure he will get the ball in the 9th inning. Its a win win.
Wilson pitched injured in 2012 that is why the crappy numbers. All signs and future forecasts have him coming back at least to close to what he was. Probably better than ANY bullpen pitcher on the Mets.
Ya know, I really am sick of Alderson just sitting around waiting for a player to jump into his lap. If you’re not going to sign anyone….just shut your door and your mouth and get on with what will be another awful season. The only thing to look forward to is Wheeler and Harvey and possibly someone who has a breakout year. This teasing is a bunch of BS!!
Brian Wilson’s is number “38″. How many of these guys did your remember who wore that number on a Met uniform.
http://www.mbtn.net/number/38
Very sad list. Rick Aguilera was probably the biggest name on there. Almost all pitchers. Pat Strange. I worked with a Pat Strahnge, his family owned a pharmacy. “Strahnge Drugs” true story.
Now that’s a shocker…
Seems like the negotiations are still very much alive and that both sides have mutual interest but obviously the Mets would rather not guarantee him a position.
Congrats to Brian Wilson. Since the Mets passed on him he can now officially become 2013 Comeback Player of the Year
If he wants to come back good @ the right price. If his feelings are hurt etc let him move on
and wish him well>>> He gave us all he had and there are no hard feelings>> A fan
This is just sad…. But hey, we are not bringing the same roster that won us 74 games last year, even though it’s worst some idiot who thinks know anything at all about baseball was 100% right about not seeing the same roster so we shouldn’t be upset with SA because he did promise and he delievered. now our roster is not only worst, but it’s amongst the most pathetic ones in all baseball…
Typical M. Donald Alderson fashion.
I find it odd that a guy who is already on track to be ready to pitch ST is NOT READY, yet when it was Young and Capuano who were not ready it was fine to sign them….
Even if this guy is a shadow of his former self that shadow is a better BP arm to have than Ramirez was….
“Strong Interest”
“Unlikely to offer”
“Not Impressed”
“Not closing the door”
Who else is getting sick of these wishy-washy articles?
Articles are articles, reports are reports. This is not an article. That said, nobody pumps out more original articles on the Mets than we do. True story.
LOL I’m sure you do….
And in your defense you sure aren’t making these quotes up yourself…
As they say…You can’t WRITE this stuff or Make it UP!
Okay, “reports”.
I’m just getting sick to death with these “updates”, especially after the Justin Upton episode. I wonder why the Mets all of a sudden don’t want to close the door. Is it because a certain someone was signed to the Nationals, giving themselves a knee deep pen?
LOL I hear you…But don’t shoot the messenger! LOL
DO what I do…Don’t think of them as UPDATES…
Think of every other one of them as DOWNDATES!
Then you might fool yourslef into thinking it’s something different.
LOL it’s only ammatter of time but I’m waiting for the story that quotes them as saying….
“After long and careful deliberations…. we have decided to not make a decision at this time.”
Or… We made Brian what we felt was a very competitive offer (minor league deal for $700K), but in the end he opted to go in another direction. We wish Brian the best with his new team and would add that we as a team are very confident in Frank Francisco’s abilities.
You got me…for a second there I thought there was another update! LOL
That one will be coming about a day after he signs somewhere else and the number he will have claimed to have offerred will be about 100K shy of whatever deal he eventually gets!
Francisco who has NEVER BEEN is worth 6 Mil per for two years and a guy like Wilson is not even worth 6 on a one year in his mind I bet!
At this point it appears, Wilson is unlikely to be 100 % by Opening Day 2012. Which means, a deal should be structured in a way that there´s a modest base salary (say, 1.5 milllion $) and significant incentives for games, games finished, innings, etc that could take a deal into the 5 to 6 million range if all goes well.
And Wilson certainly deserves a major league deal – even if questions remain (which is why he won´t be getting a guaranteed 2-year, 16 million $ deal from anyone right now).
Doobs,
I agree to the reasonable approach but at some point soon Alderson actually needs to make a move that will secure some players for the pen and OF. At this point thy have the worst OF and worst pen in MLB. Wilson can be had, for sure, and not that he is a savior, but he at least offers the potential for legit MLB closing at some early point in the season. I don’t see too many other alternatives to FF, who may not be ready himself. I’m fine with Wilson-FF-Parnell and giving the kids a chance in the other less stressful spots.
I think even if they sign Wilson they need another arm in the pen, Wilson can not be trusted as far as health wise and we do not know how productive he will be coming off of surgery.One of Valverde, Capps, Rauch, and yes K rod should also be looked into to go with Wilson on a one year deal. Matter fact whoever signs the one year deal that is the cheapest is the one to get, just get a veteran arm,sad to say K rod probably has the best stuff there.
A return to health from Wilson and a typical season from one of the other 4 pitchers mentioned to go with Francisco,( I know no one likes Francisco but all in all he only blew 3 saves and had the worst season of his career, could have been from the bone spurs in his elbow, if you look at his career numbers he is consistently in the 3s in ERA) and If Edgin and Carson improve which they should and do their thing vs lefties, and Parnell pitches the way he did the past two years even maybe improving, Familia has the stuff to become a force as well then the Mets can have a very much improved bullpen. I also like Burke who has been extremely good since throwing sidearm as far as numbers vs righties and overall, possible Chad Bradford there.
It is total optimism but also not very far fetched.