Jerry Dipoto just can’t be stopped. On the same morning he signs Albert Pujols, he also adds C.J. Wilson. The latter being added for a much more reasonable five years and $75 million (or $77.5 million, depending on who you believer).
By comparison to Pujols, that looks like he is practically free. More importantly, that contract is smaller when compared to Jered Weaver, so it seems that Dipoto got Wilson for a pretty decent price and didn’t have to blow up the team’s pay structure in the process or hurt any feelings. I think it is safe to say that he can take the rest of the week off now.
Adding Wilson would have been enough for most Angels fans as it now gives them arguable they best rotation in the American League and possibly the majors. Not only is Wilson very talented, but he also gives the rotation a much-needed southpaw to balance things out some. Wilson will be derided for his lackluster post-season efforts and his “hipster” attitude (I guess I need to stop making fun of him now, huh?), but he has been one of the top pitchers in the American League the last two seasons and his arm has relatively low mileage on it since he worked as a reliever prior to that.
To some Wilson is a luxury, but that opinion clearly overlooks the Angels stark lack of starting pitching depth. They needed to bring in a new starting pitcher to fill one of their two rotation holes. Leaving both spots to Jerome Williams, Garrett Richards and Brad Mills was just too risky for a team hoping to win a World Series, which I think we can all safely say they are now trying to do. Wilson does also provide them some security down the road as both Dan Haren and Ervin Santana can be free agents after this season if the team doesn’t exercise their club options.
I am utterly shocked that Arte Moreno has enough money to bring in both Wilson and Pujols, but it seems he found some loose change between the coin cushions and with it, he just won the Winter Meetings. Now we all have to hope that it translates to winning some games and soom championships.