Los Angeles Dodgers news: Brian Wilson exercises player option

Oct 6, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brian Wilson (00) is removed from the game during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brian Wilson (00) is removed from the game during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

It looks as if the man most famously known as ‘The Beard’ will be staying in Southern California for one more season as Brian Wilson reportedly informed the Los Angeles Dodgers he will exercise his player option for the 2015 season.

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Wilson, who gained notoriety due to his over the top antics with the San Francisco Giants during their 2010 and 2012 World Series Championships signed a one-year, $10 million dollar contract with the Dodgers in 2014 (this after a short stint with the team in 2013). The contract came with a second-year, player option which Wilson decided to exercise.

He will make $9.5 million dollars.

The former closer decided not to re-sign with the San Francisco Giants after the 2012 season because they wouldn’t offer him a guaranteed contract after Wilson underwent his second Tommy John operation. That lead to Wilson eventually signing with the Dodgers and having a public shouting match during a game with members of the San Francisco Giants ownership group. Reports at the time stated Wilson was unhappy the Giants didn’t make a spectacle when they provided the pitcher with his World Series ring.

As for the Dodgers, they were likely hoping that Brian Wilson would decline the option though such was never a realistic opportunity given the funds he is due. The former All-Star was sub par for most of the year, posting a less than stellar 4.66 ERA in 61 games.

Barring a return to former glory (which looks very unlikely), Brian Wilson has essentially morphed into a very expensive 6th or 7th inning reliever who can’t be trusted. A steep fall from grace, no doubt.

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