Los Angeles Dodgers Steal Brian Wilson

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers and free agent reliever Brian Wilson agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal Thursday. The deal will include a player option for the 2015 season that is worth $8.5 million. Wilson will add reassurance to the bullpen after Ronald Belisario was non-tendered earlier the week. Wilson is expected to make a vital impact to the Dodgers, setting up games for Kenley Jansen in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Dodgers signed Wilson last year after he was coming off an injury that shortened his time with the San Francisco Giants in 2012. Last year, Wilson was able to play in 18 games after being signed by L.A. in the middle of the season. In those games, he recorded a 0.66 ERA and only walked four batters while striking out 13.

Wilson led the league in saves for the Giants in 2010 and after getting back into form last season, it is surprising that no other team gave him a significant offer even with teams looking for a closer. Wilson will make an immediate impact, and it gives the Dodgers some breathing room heading into the latter parts of games.

Jansen will step into the full-time closer role after recording a career-high 28 saves. He also struck out 111 batters last season as well. Having someone like Wilson to shut down the innings prior to the ninth could give Jansen some confidence to continue to be dominant for the Dodgers as they look to capture a World Series in 2014.

Ryan Gaydos is an MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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