As I mention here, the Mets have activated Billy Wagner from the disabled list.
Let’s refresh your memory. Wagner has been a closer for various teams, most notably the Phillies, Astros and most recently, the Mets. He went down with Tommy John surgery last year and has just returned.
Wagner can still bring it according to scouts who watched him on his rehab assignment. He has a no-brainer-to-be-declined $8 million club option for next year ($1 million buyout) and will make a total of $10.5 million over 2009.
Should the Red Sox bring in Wagner in advance of August 31 (the date you must be a member of an organization to be eligible for the playoffs)? Yes. Absolutely, unequivocally yes.
Wagner can impact the bullpen in a major, major way. The Mets are looking to get out from under his salary, so if the Red Sox are willing to eat some money would give up no one of consequence in the minor leagues.
I’m pretty sure Fernando Cabrera has no options left, so we would probably lose him on waivers unless we were to ask him to accept an assignment to Triple-A and bring him back in September. But should Cabrera stand in the way of Wagner? I think not.
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Interesting idea. Making that move would give us 3 potential closers on the staff, and another (much needed) lefty in the ‘pen. A little more risk than the Penny-Smoltz dealings, but the reward could potentially be higher. Ultimately comes down to who we’d have to give up, I’d say.
Two words: Eric Gagne.
Let’s see its Low Risk High Reward. Well we are batting close to 1.000 on those so I expect we will pick him up, pick up the option then pay for him to pitch on another team next year while we try to bring brad lidge back to form at tons of money.
All kidding aside I think they should go for it if it doesn’t cost alot
I don’t think the Gagne comparison is applicable. Gagne was a dime-a-dozen hard throwing RHP. He did not pitch much over a 2 year period and was expected to pitch in a highly charged playoff atmosphere almost immediately.
Wagner has been solid (though, not automatic) over the past several years pitching in more high profile situations (the Mets have been competitive, at least until the final month so many years in a row.) However, his worst statistical year occurred when he suffered an elbow injury in 2000, but he bounced back nicely recording 39/41 saves the next year. And, more importantly, he’s a lefty with a career .186 BAA against RH hitters. Also pretty consistent against LH hitters.
I don’t think the question is whether Wagner’s worth picking up (he is!) but rather how much the Mets would require to give him up. If it’s just cash, we should jump on it. Just not sure if it’s worth a player, especially given the large salary commitment.
Need another bullpen lefty, if the cost isn’t too high might as well. But just curious who would be the three closers? I hope you’re not counting Bard because he’s clearly not ready for that responsibility
Wow!!!! Billy is throwing 96 mph for the Mets tonight.
With Wagner, we’d have 3 pitchers with closer experience: Papelbon, Saito, Wagner. 2 RHP, 1 LHP. I really think that would make the back end of the bullpen pretty formidable, no matter who the opposing team has coming up.
As mentioned, he would likely cost little more than his salary if the Sox were willing to pay the whole thing, which I doubt. I think it would be a great move though. Also, Okajima has been lights out this year, best of the pen by far and could close for most teams, including ours.
Definitely wouldn’t mind showing some interest in him, see what the Mets want. He’s got an option for next year, but he would also probably be a Type A/B free agent. I’m guessing someone ahead of us on the waiver wire tries to claim him though. Maybe a team like the Cubs, who need a reliable closer.