The run on short-term relievers continues, and much like Brad Brach and the Cubs, Justin Wilson gets a deal that would have been unthinkably cheap just a couple years ago. But, I gotta say, in this market, Wilson did pretty darn well:
Source confirms Mets and Justin Wilson agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal pending physical. Also performance bonuses in the contract. @Ken_Rosenthal had the deal first.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 25, 2019
It feels like a reliever like Wilson should probably get a three-year deal approaching $20 million, but that’s just not where things are right now. That, plus the second half of 2017 – a total and complete loss of control – probably created just enough ill-ease to soften his market.
Speaking of which, Wilson was so terrible after a midseason acquisition in 2017 that fans pretty much never forgave him in 2018 when he was criminally underrated, instead focusing on a blown save against the Dodgers during a doubleheader and a loss of control against the Reds that one time. Even good relievers have bad days, and the worst ones stick out in your mind. I get it. But I would have been fine with him returning in 2019. I’m also fine that he’s moving on.
As with Jesse Chavez at two years and $8 million, I’d rather the Cubs had Brad Brach at one year and $4.35 million (with an option for 2020) than this Wilson deal, if money is so tight.
Best of luck in New York to Justin Wilson. We’ll always have that time he told Anthony Rizzo to shut up: