Pirates deadline rumors: Bucs a serious bidder for Brian Wilson

The Pirates and Giants are serious contenders for free agent reliever -- and former Giants closer -- Brian Wilson, Scott Miller of CBS Sports writes. The Dodgers and Diamondbacks might also be interested, Miller reports.

Wilson is coming back from Tommy John surgery, so it's hard to know how helpful he's likely to be for the rest of the season. But given Jason Grilli's injury, the Pirates can use an extra reliever, and I like the idea of not having to exchange anything but cash to get one. (As a writer, I don't think I'll know how I'll feel about Wilson's off-field antics until he starts actually doing them. I probably would, however, pay to hear his mound conversations with Tony Sanchez.)

The Giants, of course, are in last place, so a reunion with Wilson would only really make sense if both parties were feeling really nostalgic, or if the Giants signed Wilson beyond this season. I'm sure Wilson would probably pitch in the minors for at least a couple weeks before making his first 2013 big-league appearance, so I'm not sure I see the point in him signing with San Francisco just to pitch the last five weeks of the regular season. With the Pirates, Wilson would likely get the opportunity to pitch in the playoffs.