Bochy will make recruiting pitch to Brian Wilson

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NASHVILLE -- There is money to be made if you're a free-agent closer coming off Tommy John surgery.

The Angels proved it when they signed Ryan Madson, and the Texas Rangers provided further evidence Monday when they agreed to a two-year, 8 million contract with Joakim Soria.

Soria had his second Tommy John surgery in April -- the same set of circumstances that befell Brian Wilson, who became a free agent on Friday when the Giants did not tender him a contract.

It remains to be seen where the market will develop for Wilson, who wants to pitch in a big media market. Reports out of Southern California indicate both the Dodgers and Angels have no plans to pursue Wilson. But the New England native would love to join his boyhood-favorite Boston Red Sox.

The Giants want him back, too. Manager Bruce Bochy said he planned to call Wilson in an effort to recruit the three-time All-Star closer. Bochy also acknowledged the black-bearded closer's hurt feelings when the Giants made their decision to non-tender Wilson, knowing he would've cost a minimum of 6.8 million through arbitration.

"Sometimes these things don't go as smooth as you would like," Bochy said. "You still don't forget the contributions he made to the Giants in 2010. I'd love to have a chance to talk to him here real soon. I wish him nothing but the best. Unfortunately, these things happen and they're a part of the business."

Giants vice president Bobby Evans called Wilson "a Giant for life," although he was speaking in the abstract.

"Hopefully he'll consider coming back here," Evans said. "We have interest, but we understand he's got to assess the market and we respect that. He's a hard commodity to find, a mentality that's hard to find, and that's had a lot to do with his success."

Although the Giants remain open to bringing back Wilson on an incentive-heavy deal, they are willing to stand pat in their bullpen. Bochy affirmed Sergio Romo as his closer on opening day, but said he'd "like to get him a little help" by mixing in Jeremy Affeldt and Santiago Casilla.

"It's a game of adjustments," Bochy said.

And this time of year, it's driven by market forces.

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