Brian Wilson To Dodgers Unlikely

Earlier this week I noted the possibility that closer Brian Wilson, who was non-tendered by the San Francisco Giants Friday, might be interested in playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a maddening thought: a pitcher who owned the Rockies for years as a member of a division foe hitting free agency and then simply moving onto a different division foe. That rumor emerged mostly as a result of Wilson’s interest in the Dodgers because he makes his offseason home in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers apparently are not interested in Wilson’s services. Image: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

It turns out that rumor will be squashed quickly. Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reports that the Dodgers do not return Wilson’s interest and will not pursue the free agent pitcher.

Given that the Dodgers signed inked overpaid Brandon League earlier this offseason, their lack of interest in Wilson makes sense. Additionally, any team that wants Wilson will be taking a risk because of his recent injury troubles. So while the Dodgers will spend freely in free agency, they will not commit any more piles of money to the back of their bullpen with League, Kenley Jansen, and Ronald Belisario already in the fold to fill those roles. As for Wilson, this leaves the Boston Red Sox as the other team connected to him, but the market appears to be somewhat wide open for the eccentric closer at this point.

How does this affect the Rockies? It increases the likelihood that Wilson and his glorious beard will leave the NL West. Whether he is coming off a serious injury or not, that is cause for caution celebration.