The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated 3 time all-star Brian Wilson for assignment this afternoon, as the Dodgers announced the move on Twitter:
The Dodgers have designated reliever Brian Wilson for assignment to make room for Brandon McCarthy on the 40-man roster.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 16, 2014
As the Dodgers explained, Wilson was DFA’d in order to make room for Brandon McCarthy, who the Dodgers recently signed to four-year deal.
The former-San Francisco Giants closer underwent his second Tommy John surgery in 2012, which resulted in the Giants granting him free agency in the off-season. Wilson then signed with the rival-Dodgers on July 30th of 2013 and contributed well down the stretch—striking out 13, only walking four and allowing one earned run in the final 13.2 innings he pitched in the final two months of the season. Wilson went on to allow no runs in the six innings he would pitch in the Dodgers playoff run that ended with a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series.
While the sample size was small, then-Dodgers GM Ned Colletti decided to re-signed Wilson in the off-season to a healthy $10 million dollar contract for 2014 with a $9.5 million player option for 2015. However, Wilson would have a down year—posting a 4.66 ERA across 48.1 innings, as well as a high 5.40 BB/9 and blowing four saves.
If the 32-year old Wilson can return to his World Series-winning form of 2010, surely he could be more than a benefit to any team that he would play for. However, Wilson—who has 172 career saves—has not gotten a chance to close since 2011 and it is unlikely that any new team would give him that chance. The Dodgers have seven days to attempt to trade Wilson or 10 days to either make room for him on the roster by designating another player for assignment, or release Wilson. Wilson will be owed the $9.5 million dollars his 2015 player option is worth, however if he is released and not claimed by another team on waivers, then the Dodgers will be forced to pay the $9.5 million to Wilson, as well as releasing him.
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