Giants Notes: Wilson Unhappy, Pagan/Victorino Situations, etc.

July 01, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Brian Wilson (38) punches a cooler after being relieved during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

The always busy winter meetings are set to begin on Monday, which means the rumors are picking up steam. The Giants haven’t made any big splashes  to be sure, but plenty of rumors surround the team.

So, here we go.

Giants Non-Tender Brian Wilson, Who Reportedly Isn’t Happy About Decision

The Giants and Wilson were seemingly never close to reaching terms on a deal probably because the Giants didn’t want to pay him $6.8 million, the minimum guarantee. In spite of that, Wilson wasn’t happy about the Giants decision and plans to sign elsewhere.

According to Jim Bowden on Twitter, Wilson has interest in the Dodgers, Angels, Red Sox, and Giants. Perhaps the latter is now out of the question given Wilson’s anger with San Francisco, albeit Andrew Baggarly reported on Twitter that Wilson could return if he is unable to “find something better.” While we’re on the topic, Tim Brown reported earlier in the week that Wilson’s first choice outside of the Giants would be the Dodgers. Note: the key phrase there is earlier in the week.

Wilson, who is currently rehabbing from the second Tommy John Surgery of his career, is unlikely receive a deal worth more than two years on the open market. Instead, an incentive loaded contract will be more realistic. Ryan Madson’s deal with the Angels is a perfect example, in case you’re looking for examples.

It’s also likely that teams won’t be willing to jump on Wilson immediately, as Henry Schulman reported on Friday that his recovery process isn’t progressing very quickly. Teams will obviously need to see Wilson prove that he can throw off of a mound before taking a flyer on the All-Star closer.

Phillies Picking Up Pursuit of Angel Pagan

The Phillies have remained in contact with Pagan since the free agency season peaked, but after failing to sign B.J. Upton, their interest in Pagan conceivably increased.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, both the Giants and Phillies have offered Pagan four-year contracts. While nothing seems imminent, Olney tweets that Phillies are pushing hard for Pagan’s services. Olney also tweets that the Giants may be short on how much they’re offering Pagan annually. So basically, the Phillies covet Pagan more than the Giants, at least momentarily.

For clarification, Pagan still remains Brian Sabean’s top priority entering the winter meetings. But priority or not, they haven’t made much progress in negotiations with the free agent, while the Phillies seem like the favorite to land him if recent reports are any indications.

Santiago Casilla and Buster Posey Extensions?

Both Casilla and Posey were tendered on Friday, but it seems like the Giants want to go a bit farther by offering extensions to both of them.

When asked about the possibility to sign Posey to a long-term extension, Sabean said “we’re open to the idea.” Yes, Posey isn’t eligible to become a free agent until 2017, but the Giants would be wise to lock him up now to avoid further complications in arbitration. Granted, forming an extension now is a gamble for both sides.

As for Casilla, the Giants are also interested in inking him to a multiyear deal. Originally, Casilla seemed to be a viable trade chip, but Sabean confirmed otherwise.

Shane Victorino on Giants’ Radar?

If San Francisco loses Pagan, there’s a good chance that Victorino will be their fallback plan to fill their centerfield need. The “Flyin’ Hawaiian” costed himself a ton of money with a sub-par season in 2012. He posted a .704 OPS, a career-low, with the exception of 2003, which was his rookie year in which he received minimal at-bats. To put that number into perspective, in 2011, he compiled a an .847 OPS. To see such a massive drop off in just a one year span is baffling, as players generally steadily decease, not rapidly.

This tweet from Olney pretty much sums up the situation:

At this point, Victorino is a poor man’s Pagan. They are similar players, but given his distasteful 2012 campaign,  Victorino will likely settle for a deal worth a bit less. Therefore, he’s certainly in the Giants’ budget.