New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson observed free agent closer Brian Wilson in a private workout and reportedly the Mets have strong interest in the former San Francisco Giants closer. The Mets current closer Frank Francisco pitched to a 5.53 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in 2012 for New York and is in the final year of his two-year, $12 million contract. If signed, Wilson would likely be inserted into the closer’s role and Francisco moved to the set-up man for the Mets.
Wilson had Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last April and continues to work out under Giants supervision and is making significant progress according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. Wilson has a career ERA of 3.21. Wilson has yet to throw off a mound and only recently began long toss. Wilson is said to be drawing interest of nine or 10 teams, but that interest has been preliminary in nature to this point.
The Giants maintain a level of interest in re-signing Wilson but are only interested in a contract with Wilson with a low base salary and big incentives, because of the surgery. The Giants failed to tender a contract for Wilson for 2013. The Giants plan to go into 2013 with Sergio Romo as the team’s closer.
