Dodgers News: Kershaw, Magic React To Brian Wilson Signing On Twitter
After reports broke that the Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed relief pitcher Brian Wilson, a couple Dodger personnel tweeted their excitement about the move.
Wilson signed a one-year deal worth $10 million with a player option for a second year and he can earn up to $700,000 in incentives as well.
Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw and owner Magic Johnson each took to Twitter to express how they felt about the return of Wilson:
Excited to get @BrianWilson38 back! Much needed ping pong competition in spring training.
— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) December 5, 2013
Dodger Nation: We are happy to be bringing our reliever @BrianWilson38 back to the @Dodgers!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 6, 2013
Wilson was signed to be the Dodgers’ primary set-up man and backup closer on nights that Kenley Jansen is unavailable. The feelings about Wilson come after he spent less than half a season with the Dodgers. He signed with the team at the end of July before being brought up in the middle of August. He pitched in 18 games through the end of the season and finished with a 0.66 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. In the postseason, Wilson provided six scoreless appearances against the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals.
Wilson was said to have been in talks this off-season with the Detroit Tigers for their closer position but apparently spurned the AL Central champions to return to Los Angeles. Many believed he wouldn’t return to the Dodgers because of his desire to be a closer and that role is filled by Jansen. However, Wilson made it clear that he would be open to re-signing if he was properly compensated, which he was.
After the Wilson deal, it has been reported that the Dodgers are still in the market for at least one more arm for the bullpen. The team has been talking to left-handed reliever J.P. Howell about returning to the team.
No official announcement has been made from the Dodgers, but a tweet from Magic is just as good.
UPDATE at 10:55 am PST from Brian Wilson himself:
Looking forward to playing right wing for the Kings. I mean power forward for the Lakers. 00ps I mean be a Dodger again…or do all three
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilson38) December 6, 2013
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