The Red Sox will be interested in Brian Wilson if the Giants choose to nontender him and make him a free agent, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reported Thursday.
Wilson, 30, appeared in just two games last year before Tommy John surgery knocked him out for the rest of the season. He was coming off a down year in 2011 by his standards, but he still mustered a 3.11 ERA (113 ERA+) and 36 saves despite walking 5.1 batters per nine innings.
The Red Sox could use insurance for closer Andrew Bailey. The 28-year-old pitched just 19 innings last year and has failed to hit the 50-inning mark in three consecutive seasons. If the Red Sox feel confident about Wilson's return from the surgery, he would fit the mold as a setup man with potential to take over the closer's role should Bailey fall to injury once again. For Wilson, the Red Sox present a high-visibility opportunity to re-establish his value following the devastating injury.
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