Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
To remain with the Giants, Brian Wilson will have to do something that he avoids on the mound: compromise.
The Giants declined to tender a 2013 contract Friday to Wilson, the pugnacious closer who never gives in to hitters. This sent him into free agency and cast his future with the club into doubt.
With baseball's Winter Meetings slated to start Monday in Nashville, Tenn., general manager Brian Sabean said that the Giants were stalled in efforts to achieve their top goals -- retaining second baseman Marco Scutaro and center fielder Angel Pagan, both free agents. "If we don't have a deal, that tells you we're not close," Sabean said in a conference call.
Wilson, 30, remained eligible to sign with the Giants, the only organization he has played for since he was selected in the 24th round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. But nothing indicated that the parties were progressing toward an agreement.
MLB.com: Brian Wilson non-tendered by Giants, enters free-agency
Ben talked about this on Thursday, and it looks like the Sox will at least talk to Wilson. Hopefully they won't offer him much money, just because he is so beat up.
Brian Wilson's image and endorsements have left some people blind to what he has actually done and had done recently. Two Tommy-John surgeries and nearly an entire season missed will make Wilson a huge liability if he is in fact brought in to replace Andrew Bailey. If the Sox bring him in to suppliment the bullpen and keep Bailey, then they will have 2 beat up "closers". I quote closers because these guys have missed so much time recently, that they haven't been very effective in their roles.
The one up-side in bringing someone like Wilson in would be his funny, crazy behavior, which could be a very good thing for this franchise. If done right. On Thursday, Ben thought he and the Boston media would not mix well, resulting in a bad ending.
If the Sox bring him in just as a middle reliever on short money, I would not be opposed. If he becomes the closer, then we will have a problem. Just have to wait and see if the Sox make him an offer.
On Page 2, Victor Rodriguez named assistant hitting coach
The Red Sox added a second hitting instructor to their coaching staff Friday, naming Victor Rodriguez as assistant hitting coach.
The announcement comes one day after the Red Sox named Greg Colbrunn hitting coach.
Rodriguez, 51, has spent the last six seasons -- from 2007-12 -- as Boston’s minor-league hitting coordinator, a position he also held in 2002. For three seasons, from 2004-06, he was the club’s Latin field coordinator after serving as a minor league-hitting instructor in 2003.
CSNNE: Red Sox name Victor Rodriguez assistant hitting coach
Congratulations on the promotion Victor, I am sure you deserved it!
The rest of the links:
Globe: Red Sox announce deal with Jonny Gomez | Interesting non-tenders the Sox could consider
