Scutaro and Pagan Stay with Giants

The San Francisco Giants recently were able to keep some parts of their lineup for the foreseeable future. First Angel Pagan was signed to a 4 year deal with the Giants for $40 million. Pagan was initially acquired in a trade before the 2012 season. Then the Giants resigned Marco Scutaro to a 3 year deal worth $20 million. Scutaro was acquired via a trade in the middle of the 2012 season and came through with several clutch hits in the NLCS and a hit that scored what turned out to be the series clinching run in the World Series.

A couple of good deals for the Giants as they look to secure the lineup. I would've thought all the money would be use to make sure the pitching staff stayed intact and up to par. This off season, though, didn't really call for a lot of negotiations with big pitchers. Just Brian Wilson and they let him go in favor of Sergio Romo and the rest of the bullpen that got along without him.

It's fine if the Giants want to make sure their lineup is secure but as long that this doesn't affect the rotation and the bullpen long term. They need to make sure their big bucks still goes to pitching.

'Fear The Beard' No More?

The 2010 World Series that gave the city of San Francisco it's first World title in Baseball came to an end with Brian Wilson on the mound striking out Nelson Cruz of the Rangers to end it all. Wilson was known for the beard that he grew on his face and his unique personality in the clubhouse and for the camera.

Wilson was there for the 2012 World Series but only as a supporter. He appeared only two times for the Giants in 2012 due to an elbow injury that led to him having Tommy John Surgery effectively ending his season. He watched Sergio Romo (who grew quite a beard himself) close out the 2012 World Series by striking out Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers... and, inadvertently, possibly closing out Wilson's time in San Francisco.

The Giants declined to tender a one year contract for Brian Wilson making him a free agent. The SF Chronicle reports that the Giants would like to sign Wilson to a lower base salary with incentives attached due to his elbow trouble. The report suggests, through it sources, that Wilson is mad at the organization for their stance and essentially plans to go play ball elsewhere. It seems that the Beard is on the market.

It's a shame that the Giants and Wilson had to drift apart like this. Both, however, seem to be looking out for their best interests. The Giants believe that Wilson's stock has dropped due to his injuries and the fact they won the World Series without him and Wilson has done enough to likely get a better offer elsewhere. It seems only logical that this split would occur.

Wherever Brian Wilson ends up, I wish him a fruitful career. #ThankTheBeard.