The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-signed free-agent reliever Brian Wilson to a one-year, $10 million contract that includes a player option for a second season, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. The two sides had been closing in on a deal for much of the week, so it seemed only a matter of time before they came to some sort of agreement.
Wilson can make between $8.5 and $10 million with the Dodgers in 2015 depending on how many appearances he makes as the club's setup man next year, per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times. However, the player option also gives right-hander choice of leaving that money on the table and re-testing free agency after 2014 if he so chooses. It's unknown what kind of compensation he will receive, if any, should he opt out of the second year.
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The 31-year-old has thrown all of 21⅔ innings over the last two seasons, so it makes sense that his option would hinge on his durability. The overly hirsute right-hander sat most of 2012 and 2013 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and didn't hook on with the Dodgers until late July.
Wilson was very effective when he eventually returned to the mound, allowing just one run and striking out 21 in 19⅔ regular- and post-season innings this past season. He's been known to have trouble finding the strike zone at times -- walking four batters per nine in his seven seasons with the Giants -- but showed improved control in his short late-season stint at Chavez Ravine. It's very possible that's small sample size in action, but it could also point to post-surgery improvement.
With Kenley Jansen locked into the closer role for the foreseeable future, Wilson will likely step in and serve as the club's setup man. Brandon League, who was brought in on a three-year deal last winter to close for the club, now likely slips even further down the bullpen depth chart.
Per Baseball Prospectus, Los Angeles had $185 million locked up in guaranteed payroll for next season before the Wilson signing. Adding $10 million to the books for 2014, then, puts the Dodgers' pre-arbitration payroll over the $189 million luxury tax threshold, which is all sorts of bananas.
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