Billy Wagner

[WhiskeyBreath]

I just read he was claimed. What are the odds Boston claimed him?

[CrespoBlows]

Low.

 

Cubs, Marlins, Braves, and Rockies all seem like more likely destinations.

[Dojji]

Wagner > Cabrera, and we could use a second LHP

[Spudboy]

Sox interested in Billy Wagner

Permalink|Comments (0) Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff August 21, 2009 05:09 PM

 

According to a Major League source, the Red Sox would like to work out a trade for Mets reliever Billy Wagner, who was placed on waivers Wednesday, the day before he made his first appearance in nearly a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

 

The Red Sox have been monitoring the 38-year-old lefthander, according to the source, and scouted him last night during the Mets' 3-2 loss to the Braves.

 

In his first appearance since last September, Wagner pitched one perfect inning, striking out two. According to one report he was hitting 96 miles per hour on the radar gun.

 

SI.com's Jon Heyman reported this afternoon that one team put in a claim on Wagner, and Florida radio station WFTL 640 reported that the team was the Red Sox.

 

While this has not been confirmed, a Major League source told the Globe that the Red Sox do hope to acquire Wagner if they are the team that is awarded the waiver claim.

 

Wagner, who has a 2.40 ERA and 385 saves in 15 seasons in the majors, had a 2.30 ERA in 45 appearances for the Mets last season before undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery.

 

Wagner is due a little less than $3 million this season, with an $8 million club option for 2010.

 

He has a no-trade clause in his contract, but has indicated he would be willing to waive it to go to a contender.

[Dojji]

All for it. There's little downside in a move that might cost us at worst a few hundred K, the cost in talent will be a PTBNL, and it won't be that difficult to DFA him if he doesn't work out.

[a700hitter]

If he doesn't work out, he can just sit on the bench and pitch some garbage innings in September.

[example1]

Definitely. Get him if possible.

 

I have no clue whether he has any of his old stuff, but I'd rather the Sox be the team that gets to benefit if he does.

[Gosawks]

Why not? What is the risk? If he doesn't work out then you just put in mop up situations but if he does you have a really good power lefty who can be dominate. There is really no downside to this if it happens and could work out in a big way.

[Teddyballgame10]

God please no. He sucks even when healthy. He cost the Mets a ton of games over the years. I rather have anyone in a pressure situation then him. He cant throw strikes against good hitters. I was at a game when Pedro went 8 against the Yankees at Shea and he came in with a 4 run lead for the 9th and didnt get one out.

[CrespoBlows]

God please no. He sucks even when healthy. He cost the Mets a ton of games over the years. I rather have anyone in a pressure situation then him. He cant throw strikes against good hitters. I was at a game when Pedro went 8 against the Yankees at Shea and he came in with a 4 run lead for the 9th and didnt get one out.

 

ya this one time is saw pedro ptich against the o's n he wuz rly bad! we shoudnt get him cuz that one time

 

Wagner hasn't walked a single batter this year, and has been a strike thrower his entire career. He's probably one of the best closers of all time, behind Mariano Rivera.

[CrespoBlows]

Hit 96 mph last night.

 

Please trade for this guy.

[Keeper]

Good move if the Sox get him. The Cubs should have jumped on this, given their closer situation.

[example1]

God please no. He sucks even when healthy. He cost the Mets a ton of games over the years. I rather have anyone in a pressure situation then him. He cant throw strikes against good hitters. I was at a game when Pedro went 8 against the Yankees at Shea and he came in with a 4 run lead for the 9th and didnt get one out.

 

The difference is that he wouldn't be closing. Ever. Papelbon, Bard, Oki, Saito, Ramirez and maybe Delcarman would pitch first--at least to start.

[jacksonianmarch]

Wagner isnt a few hundred K. He has 3 mil left on his deal this yr and a 1 mil buyout on a 10 mil option for 2010. If the sox claim him, then this is a 4 mil move. I think this is a blocking move to keep Wagner from the Yanks

[Death]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Wagner

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9966794/Sources:-BoSox-claim-Mets'-Wagner-off-waivers

Red Sox

[BSN07]

Ya I mentioned this like a week ago and got crickets LOL

[suns]

This will help our bullpen some.

[jacksonianmarch]

wikipedia is inaccurate. He isnt a sock yet. The Mets can pull him back.

[Rich1083]

He's owed 2 mil this year and 8 mil next year, no way are the Mets going to try and hold onto him, especially with them falling further and further in their division. They're praying someone will just take Wagner off their hands.

[jacksonianmarch]

its 3 mil this yr and a 10 mil option for 2010 with a 1 mil buyout

[CrespoBlows]

The $8 million is a club option.

[Teddyballgame10]

ya this one time is saw pedro ptich against the o's n he wuz rly bad! we shoudnt get him cuz that one time

 

Wagner hasn't walked a single batter this year, and has been a strike thrower his entire career. He's probably one of the best closers of all time, behind Mariano Rivera.

 

It wasnt a one time thing.

 

The difference is that he wouldn't be closing. Ever. Papelbon' date=' Bard, Oki, Saito, Ramirez and maybe Delcarman would pitch first--at least to start.[/quote']

 

Valid point. He's a lefty too.

[CrespoBlows]

It wasnt a one time thing.

 

 

 

 

Wagner had a sub 1.00 WHIP last year. Hardly "sucks when he's healthy."

[Gosawks]

BOSTON -- In their ongoing quest to add impactful players for the heart of the pennant race, the Red Sox have reportedly placed a waiver claim on Mets left-hander Billy Wagner, a six-time All-Star closer who had Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on Sept. 10, 2008.

 

According to Foxsports.com, which cited two Major League sources in confirming the transaction, the Mets have until 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday to work out a trade with the Red Sox.

 

If they choose not to do so, they could simply allow Wagner to be claimed by the Red Sox without seeking compensation. The third option for the Mets would be to pull Wagner back off waivers, meaning they would lose the right to trade him for the remainder of the season.

 

Wagner does have a no-trade clause, though he indicated before Friday's Mets-Phillies game that he'd welcome the opportunity to finish the season with a contender.

 

"I think that's what every player wants to do, is play on a contender and have a shot to go to the World Series," said Wagner. "Like we all know, I'm not getting any younger and the window's starting to shut. You want to have that chance, and take it if you get it."

 

Wagner made his first appearance since surgery on Thursday night, throwing a scoreless inning and getting clocked as high as 96 mph on the radar gun at Citi Field.

 

The lefty, as of Friday afternoon, said he hadn't been informed about a claim by the Red Sox or any other team.

 

"I think yesterday kind of helped the situation, but I haven't heard anything. I'm still just excited about yesterday," said Wagner.

 

Has he allowed himself to think about switching uniforms?

 

"I can't," said Wagner. "I've got so much ahead of me right now, I can't think about going somewhere else. Yesterday was a big step, but I've got a lot to work on, a lot to do to get better and help myself."

 

The Red Sox already have an All-Star closer in Jonathan Papelbon, so Wagner would be used as a power lefty setup man.

 

By taking on Wagner, the Red Sox would be making a significant financial investment. The veteran is owed roughly $2.7 million for the remainder of 2009, and has an $8 million option for 2010 that includes a $1 million buyout.

 

The 38-year-old Wagner has pitched for the Astros, Phillies and Mets in his career, posting a 2.40 ERA, saving 385 games and notching 1,068 strikeouts over 819 innings. Opponents have hit .189 against him over his career.

 

The addition of Wagner would give the Sox yet another weapon in a loaded bullpen that already has the likes of Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez, Daniel Bard, Manny Delcarmen and Takashi Saito working in front of Papelbon

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090821&content_id=6536512&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Teddyballgame10]

Wagner had a sub 1.00 WHIP last year. Hardly "sucks when he's healthy."

 

He also blew 7 saves and pitcher a career low 47 innings. I have seen him melt down enough on the Mets in big situations, I cant stand to see him do it for us.

[a700hitter]

He also blew 7 saves and pitcher a career low 47 innings. I have seen him melt down enough on the Mets in big situations' date=' I cant stand to see him do it for us.[/quote']He'd be a 7th or 8th inning guy for the Sox.

[CrespoBlows]

He also blew 7 saves and pitcher a career low 47 innings. I have seen him melt down enough on the Mets in big situations' date=' I cant stand to see him do it for us.[/quote']

 

Finished the year with a 2.30 ERA, and a .894 WHIP. He's not going to be the closer, or even the setup man. He's a huge upgrade over Delcarmen, Ramirez, and Saito.

 

If you say you've seen him meltdown enough for the Mets, then perhaps he was really good when you weren't watching him. His numbers are very good. I think your opinion is tainted by one bad outing.

[Spudboy]

This is the second time today that you've started a duplicate thread. Please take the time to see if an existing thread would be suitable for your post first.

[a700hitter]

Rice's message to the kid's is usually to respect your parents and your coaches, and to just have fun playing the game. His message to the parents is to just let the kids have fun, because they are not raising any future major leaguers. I think it is pretty good advice, when idiot parents are asking him about training techniques etc. like their kids are the next ARod.

[SoxSport]

This is a surprise. Now why didn't they have Wagner to start tonite instead of Penny? Sure, he's a closer but anybody but Penny. Maybe they'll go with 13 pitchers. One starter for 5 innings and 4 relievers. I don't know what they're doing with their pitching, but I wonder if they are making the most of it.