White Sox Should Make a Run at Billy Wagner

[Chisoxfn]

Do you think KW could pull this one off, too. I don't think he's cleared waivers yet. I suppose if KW wanted him he could just call up the Mets and say, "Let's get started."

The question is if he's cleared waivers. If he hasn't, he probably wouldn't get to the Sox cause I'm sure some NL contenders would want him. But in this economy, if they did it at the beginning of August, he might have very well made it all the way through (can you put a guy whose on the DL through waivers?) and at which point any team could negotiate a trade.

 

He really has no value to the Mets so I don't see them asking for a ton, unless multiple teams are pursuing him.

[Chisoxfn]

So basically there's not a chance in hell he clears waivers to get through the NL to us...

Unless he's already cleared, which might be the case since at that point no one knew what Billy Wagner we'd be seeing (and really how healthy he was). If he hasn't, than I doubt he makes it through and at this point, Wagner would be a pipe-dream.

[Chisoxfn]

Baez, righty with 1.20 WHIP...i'd be interested. Shouldve been more interested in him than Tony P

If the Sox want a righty, Smoltz/Spier would be decent additions. While both stunk this season, they did limit right handed batters to sub .235 averages. I think Smoltz would be a solid pickup for a team. He's a great veteran and as a reliever he might still have a bit left in the tank.

 

Plus the guy flat out pitches great in the post-season and I think just having him around would be good for the team.

[Chisoxfn]

I'd like this if was even close to what he was. How many times has he pitched this year?

Zero times. 6 rehab appearances. If you click on the link the full article talks more about his injury and what scouts are saying.

[Chisoxfn]

I like Jenks. all I am saying is that Wagner gives the sox a very nice security blanket for setup AND closer

With the way off-days work in the post-season there really is little reason the Sox would need to use anyone in the pen other than Jenks/Thornton/Wagner (since they'd never be pitching more than 2 days in a row).

[Balta1701]

Unless he's already cleared, which might be the case since at that point no one knew what Billy Wagner we'd be seeing (and really how healthy he was). If he hasn't, than I doubt he makes it through and at this point, Wagner would be a pipe-dream.

If the Mets were smart, he was the first player they put on waivers to clear, so that he'd be tradeable if he got to the point that he was pitching.

[Balta1701]

With the way off-days work in the post-season there really is little reason the Sox would need to use anyone in the pen other than Jenks/Thornton/Wagner (since they'd never be pitching more than 2 days in a row).

Game 3 of the WS says hi.

[Chisoxfn]

If the Mets were smart, he was the first player they put on waivers to clear, so that he'd be tradeable if he got to the point that he was pitching.

Exactly. If he has cleared waivers and he comes out and pitches real good in a start or two, well the price-tag will go up. But it will really just be a demand question cause if only one team is interested the Mets just need to sell for whatever they can get (plus the financial savings) since Wagner does nothing to help them.

[Chisoxfn]

Game 3 of the WS says hi.

Well I meant it from the stand-point most of the time you wouldn't need to rely on anyone else. If our starters get rocked, well they won't contend and I'd expect the other relievers to be used only in a situational role.

 

It would really be great having three plus relievers to turn too. Hell, look at 2005 where the Sox had Cotts/Politte/Jenks to turn to.

[Balta1701]

It would really be great having three plus relievers to turn too. Hell, look at 2005 where the Sox had Cotts/Politte/Jenks to turn to.

And Neal Cotts sat around in the bullpen saying "come on fellas, gather around and I will tell you a tale of what it is like to pitch in the ALCS"

[Chisoxfn]

And Neal Cotts sat around in the bullpen saying "come on fellas, gather around and I will tell you a tale of what it is like to pitch in the ALCS"

Haha, that was an insane ALCS...gotta love all those complete games.

[Balta1701]

Haha, that was an insane ALCS...gotta love all those complete games.

How the Hell did that actually happen again? Anyway, thread derailed. So yeah, Wagner, LLR bullpen, solid. I complain not, but just like with Rios, I wouldn't want to give up anything that has even a reasonable shot of making the team in the next few years. If someone wants to give the Mets legit talent, then they've outbid me.

[prochisox]

I dont think the Mets will want anything of value, just salary relief.

[Balta1701]

I dont think the Mets will want anything of value, just salary relief.

Are the Mets really in a bad position financially? I mean, if there's a team out there that should be able to say "We'll pick up a portion of the salary but we want a legit future reliever in return" shouldn't that be a team that just opened a new stadium in NYC?

[Chisoxfn]

Are the Mets really in a bad position financially? I mean, if there's a team out there that should be able to say "We'll pick up a portion of the salary but we want a legit future reliever in return" shouldn't that be a team that just opened a new stadium in NYC?

Ya, but I couldn't see that piece being anything more than a Carlos Torres type of guy, if that. So that means it probably isn't worth it to the Mets.

 

They obviously don't need to dump the cash but if I were them, I'd rather have an extra couple mil laying around, especially with all the massive changes they will be making this off-season (or at least I expect them to make).

[prochisox]

Are the Mets really in a bad position financially? I mean, if there's a team out there that should be able to say "We'll pick up a portion of the salary but we want a legit future reliever in return" shouldn't that be a team that just opened a new stadium in NYC?

 

Yea, but you gotta remember that Wagner has been on the DL for awhile and many teams might see him as a health risk. The Mets have alot of holes to fill for next year and 2.75 million in relief would help a little.

[Chisoxfn]

First off, love the blog. I've been reading almost everything in there since it started.

 

Secondly, I think Wagner would be a great addition to a pen who's only worthwhile pen option is Thornton. The rest of our bullpen, including Jenks, is very Jekyll & Hyde.

Thanks for the kind words Ninetrain

[son of a rude]

so you mean you would rather have billy wagner than randy williams?

[prochisox]

Force them to pay the 1 million $ buyout next year, give them Whisler and Torres. Clear an extra roster spot on our end. I think it would be worth the risk for our Sox.

Edited August 14, 2009 by GO CHI SOX!

[WCSox]

I dont think the Mets will want anything of value, just salary relief.

 

The Mets would be on the hook for less than $3 million by keeping Wagner. That's a far cry from the Jays being on the hook for well over $60 million with Rios, not to mention that the Mets are in a much better financial position than the Jays.

 

Minaya will want something decent in return for Wagner. And this is one of the reasons why we probably won't land him.

Edited August 14, 2009 by WCSox

[Chisoxfn]

The number I had for his salary owed came from a few articles but I just did the math on it and it would be closer to $3M just for this season, plus $1M for the option so a total of $4M.

 

I can't imagine many teams willing to pick up the $4M contract so my guess is that he's already cleared waivers and at this point you'd be talking about the Mets picking up close to half of that contract and its just a matter of what the opponent is willing to give up.

 

For Wagner at $2 million would you guys be willing to trade Carlos Torres? Would the Mets do that?

[WCSox]

I can't imagine many teams willing to pick up the $4M contract so my guess is that he's already cleared waivers and at this point you'd be talking about the Mets picking up close to half of that contract and its just a matter of what the opponent is willing to give up.

 

I'll bet that the Cardinals, Pihllies, Giants, and Dodgers would be willing to do it. And they'd all get a shot before us.

 

Edited August 14, 2009 by WCSox

[Chisoxfn]

I'll bet that the Cardinals, Pihllies, Giants, and Dodgers would be willing to do it. And they'd all get a shot before us.

Dodgers acquired Sherill so I don't know if they'd go for Wagner or not. Phillies added a lot of payroll so again, not too certain on whether they'd put a straight waiver claim.

 

I basically think all of those teams would be interested but I think anyone that wants him probably wants the Mets to pick up at least $2 million so my guess is no one put a claim in because of that (but that is all speculation on my part).

[WCSox]

Dodgers acquired Sherill so I don't know if they'd go for Wagner or not. Phillies added a lot of payroll so again, not too certain on whether they'd put a straight waiver claim.

 

I basically think all of those teams would be interested but I think anyone that wants him probably wants the Mets to pick up at least $2 million so my guess is no one put a claim in because of that (but that is all speculation on my part).

 

I don't consider $4M a ridiculously extravagant amount of money to add (even in this economy), and the only NL contender that I know doesn't want to add ANY payroll is the Cubs.

 

It's pretty much impossible to tell what's going on at this point. It would be difficult to believe that Minaya didn't put Wagner on waivers, but I would think that the interested parties would've been leaked by now. Either that, or Minaya IS dangling him but no serious talks have happened because nobody wants to give up anybody decent for a guy coming off of major arm surgery.

 

[Chisoxfn]

I don't consider $4M a ridiculously extravagant amount of money to add (even in this economy), and the only NL contender that I know doesn't want to add ANY payroll is the Cubs.

 

It's pretty much impossible to tell what's going on at this point. It would be difficult to believe that Minaya didn't put Wagner on waivers, but I would think that the interested parties would've been leaked by now. Either that, or Minaya IS dangling him but no serious talks have happened because nobody wants to give up anybody decent for a guy coming off of major arm surgery.

$4M for ~40 games is a pretty significant amount of money to give to a reliever. We as Sox fans complain about Linebrink and Dotel and they get that for an entire season.