Brian Wilson: SF Giants' Short-Term Closer Options If His Back Flares Up Again

Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants is the top closer in the National League. With all due respect to Mariano Rivera, Wilson arguably could be the best closer currently in baseball.

With the Giants' penchant for playing close, generally low-scoring games, Wilson's effectiveness is paramount to their success. In 2010, Wilson recorded 48 saves to lead the National League. The other impressive fact is that several of those saves were of the four-or-five out variety. 

Wilson threw a career-high 74.2 innings, giving up 62 hits and 22 walks, while striking out 93. He had a strong ERA of 1.81 and WHIP ratio of 1.179. The two-time All-Star looks poised to have another stellar season in 2011.

Wilson's workload in 2010 was quite heavy, as he also threw 11.2 postseason innings. He was extremely effective, going 1-0 with six saves to his credit. Wilson did not allow an earned run and struck out 16 while registering an outstanding WHIP of 0.771.

Spring training opened up for the 2011 season and Brian Wilson experienced some minor back soreness after his first throwing session. He was held out for a couple of days and reports that his back is much better.

Wilson also experienced a similar back problem during the 2010 season and he was held out for a few games. If the back flares up again in the regular season, or if Wilson sustains an injury, let's take a look at who the candidates are to close for the Giants.

I believe the Giants' first choice will be Santiago Casilla. He has strikeout ability with a fastball in the mid-to-high 90s and a devastating slider that he often uses with two strikes. Casilla can sometimes overthrow, and that affects his control, but he is probably the best candidate to sub in for Wilson in the short run.

In 2010, Casilla emerged as a reliable pitcher and he won seven games against two losses. In 55.1 innings pitched, Casilla gave up only 40 hits. He also struck out 56 batters and his only weakness was his 26 walks. Casilla had a very solid ERA of 1.95 and WHIP of 1.193.

The other closer options for San Francisco are left-handed veterans Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez. Affeldt is entering his 10th major-league season and he has 22 career saves. He was not as effective in 2010 with a 4.14 ERA, compared to an excellent 1.73 in 2009.

Javier Lopez was acquired before the trade deadline last year and he was outstanding. He routinely got the tough left-handed sluggers out in the National League. Players like Carlos Gonzalez, Joey Votto, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley all struggled against Lopez.

If the Giants are in a ninth-inning, two-out situation with a tough left-handed hitter at the plate and Wilson is unavailable, you can expect Javier Lopez to come in for the final out.

Brian Wilson is a very unique, quirky character and the games are much more fun with him around. I know the media would have to work harder to find interesting things to write about if Wilson was not in the picture.

The Giants are well stocked in the bullpen and should be able to weather any short-term periods without Brian Wilson. However, Wilson is one of the top closers in baseball and the Giants hope they won't need to live without him.