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Done deal: Wagner coming to Red Sox
This story was written and reported by the Globe's Tony Massarotti and Nick Cafardo
Whether it was a chance to pitch in a pennant race, a factor based on finances and his future, or simply the assurance that the Red Sox won't overuse his repaired left arm, this much is certain: Billy Wagner had a change of heart, and he's coming to Boston after all.
The Red Sox will send two players to be named later to New York in exchange for the 38-year-old Wagner, a 15-year veteran who has accumulated 385 saves in his career but who returned last Thursday after missing 11 months following Tommy John surgery. A major league source said it is not expected that any more than one of the two players the Sox are giving up will come from the 40-man roster, and neither is considered an upper-tier prospect.
The source said the Red Sox have agreed to Wagner's wishes and will not pick up his $8 million option for 2010, the final element of the four-year, $43 million deal he signed with the Mets as a free agent before the 2006 season. Notably, the club will retain the right to offer him arbitration, meaning they would get two compensatory draft picks if another team signs him.
Wagner is expected to return home before joining the Red Sox on Thursday.
"We're realistic," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "He's less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery. We're not claiming we won a playoff spot today. We made a move to add a really quality pitcher to our bullpen, and we already have a good bullpen. We're real happy about that."
Allowing Boston to retain the right to offer him arbitratrion a major sacrifice for Wagner, who had previously said he would utilize his no-trade clause to block the deal if the Sox offered him arbitration. He is hoping to sign with a club next season that will use him as a closer so he can reach a couple of milestones, including 400 saves and perhaps surpassing former Met John Franco's record for saves by a lefthander, at 424. With Jonathan Papelbon entrenched as the Red Sox' closer, Wagner will work in a setup role for the Red Sox, and it would have less appeal on the free agent market with the two picks attached.
"We're excited to have him, and hopefully he'll help us win a championship," Papelbon said before tonight's game against the White Sox. "We'll get along great. I know we will. I'm looking really forward to seeing how he works and maybe picking up a couple of things from him."
Leading up to the 1:30 p.m. deadline, it appeared Wagner would choose to stay in New York rather than join the Red Sox, a decision that received much criticism in New York. A source said the primary concern for Wagner was not his contract status, but his desire to protect his surgically repaired left arm in a low-pressure situation during the final month of the season.
"Unless something changes with Boston, I'll probably be a Met," Wagner had said Monday after New York's loss to the Phillies.
However, according to the source, Wagner this afternoon decided he wanted to pitch in a pennant race rather than remain with the wretched Mets, believing could help his position on the free agent market. In addition, Epstein told the Globe's Nick Cafardo that, despite reports in the media, the Red Sox never thought the deal was dead, that the Mets and Sox had worked out the players ahead of time, and that the teams knew it would come down to the final hours all along.
"You guys (media) had nothing to do during those 48-hour windows, so there have been a lot of stories come out," said Epstein. "Basically he had a full no-trade clause, so it was up to him whether he wanted to stay with the Mets or go to the Red Sox. Ultimately, in the end he woke up and said he wanted to join a team that was in the middle of a pennant race, had a chance to pitch into October, and a chance to get a ring. He's never done it, so he went over the ups and downs, but he woke up today and he really wanted to win a World Series. So he made his choice for all the right reasons."
Wagner has pitched twice since coming off the disabled list last week. In two innings, he has allowed no hits and a walk, while striking out four. Wagner, who stands just 5-feet-10-inches, was one of the hardest throwers in baseball before his elbow injury, and he has been clocked in the mid-90s in his two appearances since his return.
Because he is coming off serious surgery, the Red Sox will not be able to use him on back-to-back days, but pitching two of every three days is not out of the question. He will give Terry Francona another option out of the bullpen in the seventh and eighth innings, along with Hideki Okajima and Daniel Bard.
When word that the Sox had put in a claim on Wagner initially broke, Papelbon and Manny Delcarmen both expressed concern about what his role might be. Papelbon's comments were particularly candid, telling WEEI.com, "What has he done? Has he pitched this year?" Is he ready to pitch or is he not? ... I think our bullpen is good where we're at right now. Don't get me wrong. But I guess you could always make it better. It's kind of like the [Eric] Gagne thing, I guess."
Papelbon later backed down from his comments, but not until Wagner responded by telling SI.com's Jon Heyman, "[W]hen he walks in my shoes then I'll say something. Let him be 38 and have Tommy John surgery."
Since Monday, Papelbon has praised the potential (and eventually final) addition of Wagner every time he's been asked about it.
"I think Pap feels he was misunderstood," Epstein said. "He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with. When I talked to him directly about it he couldn't have been more excited. When we had our window (to speak to Wagner), Pap went out of his way to make sure he knew he was more than welcome here."
In his career, Wagner, a six-time All-Star, has a 2.39 ERA in 767 appearances, with 1,070 strikeouts in 820 innings.
Bullpen with ----
Okajima\Bard --- 7
Wagner --- 8
Paps -- 9
Looks awesome...hopefully we can stay fit....
Bullpen with ----
Okajima\Bard --- 7
Wagner --- 8
Paps -- 9
Looks awesome...hopefully we can stay fit....
Bullpen with ----
Okajima\Bard --- 7
Wagner --- 8
Paps -- 9
Looks awesome...hopefully we can stay fit....
Can't do any worse than Gag me did.
why do we keep signing has-been pitchers coming off the DL? Didn't Theo learn with Smoltz? Maybe we can get Cecil Cooper to come hit, and play right field? He was great in the 80's.
Can he start?
AWESOME...I was just thinking to myself, "You know what we need, some more players who are pushing 40"...finally, my dreams have been answered.
To paraphrase Russ Hodges (1951):
THE YANKEES WIN THE DIVISION . THE YANKEES WIN THE PENNANT. THE YANKEES WIN THE WORLD SERIES!
HE WILL BE JUST WHAT WE NEED IN BOSTON .JOHN PAPOLBON CAN SUCK AN EGG IF HE DOSNT LIKE IT
Hey, Papelbon, sit down and shut up...you're going to run off after the Big Money first chance you get anyhow...that's why you got Boras representing you, isn't it?
Well, Paps may be a loudmouth redneck, but he's OUR loudmouth redneck. Wagner is a journeyan loudmouth redneck so hated in Philly by his teammates that Pat Burrell called him a 'rat', and he couldn't shut his mouth in NY either.
Now he's at the end of his career and should help about as much as , umm, Cards impressive starter. John Smoltz, who at least has class. even if he wasn't shown much in Boston.
The good news is Bigmouth HillBilly won't be here long enough to poison yet another clubhouse. Another sad gasp by Epstein. The way he said
"someone like him" in reference to Paps was indicative of how little Wagner cares about anyone but himself.
that 'by soemone like hi' re paps
Good. I like the move... Use him, abuse him, and ditch him for a draftpick!!! excellent Theo!
say that again?
"...will not be able to use him on back-to-back days, but pitching two of every three days is not out of the question."
saying 2 out of 3, but not b-to-b, means 2 out of 4. just say every other and get it over with.
tito will need to pick his spots, apparently. we'll see how this works out...
Any more good 40-ish pitchers we can pick up?
This is stupid. I don't care if he can pitch or not; it's all about team chemistry. The Sox went through the playoffs in '04 using primarily 3 relievers, Foulke, Timlin and Alan Embree. They won it all that year. A couple years ago, the brought in Gagne, which messed up the chemistry and messed with Okajima. Beyond that, Gagne was awful for them, and didn't even make the playoff roster. They won it all that year too, minus Gagne. Watch what happens, this is going to mess up the current bullpen. Too many 7th and 8th inning pitchers now, and only one can pitch at a time. Typical Theo, overthinking, not taking into account the human element.
OK, Add Wagner, subtract Gonzalez. Now tomorrow, add Wakefield and subtract whom? Penny? Saito?
His concerns for maximizing his future payday, and pitching in a low-pressure environment to protect his arm does not instill lots of confidence. He has already earned north of $75 mill in his career, yet has never pitched in a world series. Becoming the all time lefty saves leader seems his only motivation. Not sure how that will play out in the pressure cooker he will be stepping into.
I have a sneaky feeling that RSN isn't going to be welcoming this guy with open arms. And I hope this doesn't turn into Gagne 2.0.
Hopefully he turns back into 2003 Billy Wagner....
when can we expect to see wagner here??
Why do we "always" buy guys that are hurt, just had surgery are, or are going to need surgery.
Yes he will help if he is healthy and can get that slider of his down. AL East is loaded with tough left handed bats. Guys like Crawford,Pena,Matsui,Cano Sox can matched up with easier with Oki and Wagner in the pen.
This is a good deal for the Sox, other than the fact that they are on the hook for 2 million, but then again, it's not my money. They have to give up two players, but as he is a Type A FA, we will get two draft picks; the machine keeps rolling. If healthy, we now have somebody to use against Carlos Pena, Matsui, etc in clutch spots. Like I said, good deal.
Will be be channelling Eric Gagne ? Or Doyle Alexander ?
Let's hope he works out better than John Smoltz did.
crackin' up over tool box "cinco-ocho" having his panties in a twist-o.
This is a move that could be really bad or really good for the Red Sox. Given their current track record with fragile, rehabbing, older pitchers, I'm not very optimistic.
Another desparate attempt by the Red Sox. First it was Smoltz, who did not work out. This will prove to be a futual attempt. Not sure why they need to help their bullpen, which is already a strength.
sweet.
so, when tex wanted 2-3 mil more last off season theo says no, but now they'll rent a questionable arm (who only wants to close) for what could be just 5 weeks at 2mil??
if his arm blows up and he falls below type-a status then what?
gagne redux
how is it possible mathematically "not be able to use him on back-to-back days, but pitching two of every three days"
What the red sox really need is the bat to start swinging when it matters. The bullpen has been working the fact that the starting rotation is coming apart is the real story. But, it is July and past the All Star break were they seem to always make it interesting or bumble the playoffs.
well, i wasnt shy with my opinion earlier, and to be honest, this guy left a bad impression for me. 38 years old, he has pitched in the majors for years- IS MONEY REALLY AN ISSUE? Billy, maybe you should find a financial adviser, and definitely a media adviser.
is this the end of Delcarmen?
TWO prospects for this 38 year old reclamation project? They could have thrown in a couple of upper tier prospects and gotten lights-out Cliff Lee along with Victor Martinez at the trading deadline, for a real impact on the balance of power. Instead they doggedly hold onto overvalued prospects then, but now relinquish 2 lesser prospects for a six week rental of very questionable value. Can you say, 'too little, too late'?
They should bunk him with Paps on the road. Say hello to your new roommate, Jon.
Well there is one thing for sure if they didn't acquire him the next reliever on the list was headed this way!!!Okijima is getting close to the edge of over use.Now they have 5 guys for the back end 7-9 with Papelbon still getting the Lions Share of the 9th inning slots,and he deserves those spots.I would love too see the look on the left handed batters on the Spankees faces.If they thought Okijima was a pain in the posterior they will truly hate this news.
This is good trade for the Sox. In a short playoff series, being able to run Beckett, Lester and 7 quality relievers out there can put the Sox in strong position against anyone. The Sox will take care of his arm. If this trade cost them 2 players from a group of Bryce Cox, Richie Lentz, Jason Place, Aaron Bates, Jon Still, Jorge Jiminez, I'm okay with this. Where they can offer arbitration and get 2 picks for him after the season, this should work out fine.
Nice! Another arm, who figured we would be needing one at this point.
The ghost of Eric Gagne haunts us still.
Is this another Gagne? Could be but I don't think so. Just wondering if Tito is going to have to play head games with Papelbon. If so, we know what he's made of.
I hate to nitpick (lie) but you really should say "pitching every other day" is feasible for Wagner, because there is no way to pitch two out of every three days without constantly pitching back-to-back days.
"the Red Sox will not be able to use him on back-to-back days, but pitching two of every three days is not out of the question."
The math doesn't work.
Having another lefty, especially one that throws gas, couldn't hurt.
I don't think Red Sox needs an arm in the bullpen (tho' it certainly helps) - it needs a #3 or #4 starter and slugger in the middle ...
ummm... two out of 3 days means he goes back to back at some point. You said he couldn't do that. If he doesn't go back to back the best he can do is every other day (2 out of 4 days.)
i've got to be honest, at least we'll get draft picks
I am having trouble with the math. The Sox cannot pitch him on back to back days but they can pitch him two of three days. Huh?
How do you pitch two of three days without pitching back to back on two of them?
Can he start? If yes, he can help!!!
sweet
no if Dice K could get his act together, we'd be all set
If he does well everyone will be excited and Theo and Tito are visionaries. If he pulls a Gagne then Theo and Tito are bums. Simple as that. What a town.
Lets not forget "Poopalbum" ....he looks worse every time out...I think He looks bad.....Now we are covered...thank goodness......
The Patriots build a team.
The Red Sox accumulate players.
Hmmmm....does the name "Gagne" mean anything to anyone??? Been there, done that.
"the Red Sox will not be able to use him on back-to-back days, but pitching two of every three days is not out of the question."
gee tony, you must REALLY know more about baseball than me, because I can't figure out how a guy can pitch two of every three days yet never pitch on back-to-back days. ... Can't wait to see it happen, though!
Theo needs help. Has he lost it?
The math is very easy. You pitch him on day 1, he rests on day two, then throws on day 3. (2 out of 3).
Rests on day 4, and pitches on day 5. (3 out of 5).
Pitch Tuesday, off Wednesday, Pitch Thursday. That's 2 of 3 days. The math breaks down after that. Curious.
The Mets' loss is the Red Sox's gagne.
Pitch Monday, sit Tuesday, Pitch Wednesday....its not calculus boys...
Please dear God, don't let Tom Brady be hurt this season. The Sox are becoming the Mets, don't let the Pats stop being the Pats.
Two words - Eric Gagne
um... 2 out of 3 days means he pitches one day, gets a day off and then pitches the next day. That's 2 out of 3 days. Bunch of geniuses on here I tell ya.
Let's hope Wags walks in the locker room and punches Papelpunk in the mouth.
Tito will use him the best way he know's how that will help the team win ball games. Wagner throws gas. He betters our chances to go furhter in the playoffs. This will encourage other players to play harder. GO SOX!!!!
The math makes full sense. It means he can pitch every other day
Umm, if you pitch Tuesday, take Wednesday off, then pitch Thursday. Haven't you pitched two of three days without pitching back-to-back?
OK, math geniuses. What he is saying is that Wagner can't pitch two straight days, lets call them Monday and Tuesday. But he could pitch 2 out of three, let's call the two he pitches Monday and Wednesday. Then, he wouldn't pitch on Thursday, but could pitch on Friday (since he would be pitching 2 out of the three days from Wed-Fri). It's not all that complicated.
What is wrong with all you idiots and your Math and understanding of general baseball scheduling.
If Wagner pitches on day 1, has day 2 off, then pitches on day 3.....that is 2 out of 3 days.
"Oh wait!!" you say "Then he can't pitch the next day!!! Therefore it is mathematically impossible"
Ummm....ever here of an off day?
Pitch Friday, rest Saturday, pitch Sunday....MONDAY OFF....pitch Tuesday.
HEEEEEYYYYYY! I just accomplished the mathematically impossible!
Field's Medal please!
Dolts!
For those trying to figure out the math, it is quite simple... one could pitch on Monday and Wednesday and effectively be pitching 2 out of 3 days. Then they could pitch again on Friday aand again have pitched in 2 out of 3 days..... Saying pitch 2 out of 3 days is just a fancy way of saying they could pitch every other day.
I'm not sure if only the idiots are posting or if most of you ARE idiots.
Especially #2, 3, 5, and 12.
wow, i was all ready to eat crow and acknowledge wagner's desire to be a winner above all else, that is, until i read 'Wagner this afternoon decided he wanted to pitch in a pennant race rather than remain with the Mets because it could help his position on the free agent market.'
holla at the almighty dolla.
2 of 3 days, you pitch monday, off tuesday, pitch wednesday. In that scenario using my extraordinary complex set of mathematical formulas derived from a highly decorated group of MIT scientists, he would have pitched 2 out of 3 days.
Theo has returned to the Duquette era of Saberhagen, Ramon Martinez, Mark Portugal et al.....castoffs, fliers. This isn't the Theo of 2003-2004 when he had Lajoie consulting. Now he has Baird, with all of his success in KC, advising him on MLB talent. The biggest change needed this offseason is to upgrade the Assistant to the GM role and professional scouting talent as there's been a real dropoff here. No doubt Theo is first rate in developing talent. With respect to evaluating other team's major league talent, it's not a strength which is ok. He just needs to surround himself with someone who has this strength. Baird is not one of those Sweetnesspeople.
Pitch day one, have off day, two and pitch day three, that is two out of three right?
lets make a flying leap here and assume he meant every two or three days.... meaning not two days in a row....
what can it hurt to have this guy in the rotation... at the very least he can be a situational guy and at best he pitches some crucial innings down the stretch. Having a tough lefty against a lineup like the Yankees is a huge thing since they tend to be lefty heavy in their batting order and killing right handed pitching.
this guy has also played in Philly and NYC... he can handle pressure unlike a Gagne who wrapped up games in an empty chavez ravine and in texas... can't hurt us.
The 2 prospects we give up come back to us when he leaves after being offered arbitration - so it's a wash with the prospects and the 2 million to the Sox braintrust is peanuts, especially if he keeps throwing 93-95 as he has done since returning. He and Gagne have zero in common, he won't be closing and isn't an HGH/Roid benefactor like Gagne was.
A source said the primary concern for Wagner was his desire to protect his surgically repaired left arm in a low-pressure situation during the final month of the season.
aka the mets suck
However, according to the source, Wagner this afternoon decided he wanted to pitch in a pennant race rather than remain with the Mets because it could help his position on the free agent market.
sounds like a real stand up guy
Pitch Day 1 - Don't pitch Day 2 - Pitch Day 3.
Too little, too late.
Pay attention Pink Hats and FanBoys. This will be put back in your face in a "Well, we missed the playoffs, but we did everything we could.." press release this offseason.
As someone else stated, the extra prospects and effort was needed with Cleveland at the trading deadline to get Cliff Lee and VMart. Instead, Sox spent August wheeling out Tazawa, Penny, and Smoltz for too many games to gain ground.
Sox are DONE. No playoffs for you!!! Now go buy some more official Red Sox gear so that they can sign key players this offseason despite playing in the oldest and smallest ballpark in the bigs...
I think it is fair to assume the author meant that he could pitch as often as twice over any three day period, but not back to back games. You guys are brutal.
...and I thought the Cash for Clunkers deal was coming to an end. No worries though since he'll pitch lights-out when he leaves us and signs a deal somewhere else next season. We're just the enablers here.
For the folks having trouble with 2 of 3 days but not consecutive days: I'm pretty sure that what is not being said but implied is after Wagner's pitched 2 of 3 days, he gets the next day off. For example:
Monday- Wagner pitches
Tuesday- Wagner's off
Wednesday- Wagner pitches. He's now pitched 2 of 3 days without pitching back to back days.
Thursday- Wagner's off.
So its both 2 of 3 and 2 of 4, depending on how you look at it.
Jesus! 2 out of 3 meaning (X means pitching day, O means free day) XOX--->2/3
again...XOXOXOXO, take a 3 turn sample from there... i dont see where he's pitching back to back days...
back to back between day off....hahaha. Sox, minds as well lose it for the season and miss the play off to avoid humiliate, let say Sox makes playoff and they get by Tigers then get humiliate by Yankees....
Oh Patrick, Gagne did make the playoff roster.
Are you guy's Red Sox fans or chronic complainers,What do YOU have to loose?????
Maybe the guy meant pitching every other day. Doesn't mathematically work out to 2 out of every 3, but gives a bunch of cycles of 2 out of 3 days pitching, alongwith 2 out of 3 days off. Who really cares, because their starting pitching is not strong enough right now after Lester. They better hope for some rainouts in the playoffs
Foulke is still available - I just saw him in Southern Maryland pitching in the independent league with the Newark Bears!
Are you guy's Red Sox fans or chronic complainers,What do YOU have to loose?????
Those with the math inquiry. Maybe "two out of every three days" was not the best wording, but come on.
If he pitches on M, W, F and Sunday, he will have pitched 2 out of three days from M-T-W, W-Th-F, and F-Sat-Sun, without pitching back-to-back.
The following week he would pitch T, Th, Sat. Again, that would be 2 out of 3 days from Sun-M-T, T-W-Th, and Th-Fri-Sat.
So, for each of those (overlapping) three day periods he will have pitched twice. Obviously, if you choose other 3-day periods (e.g., T-W-Th in the first week or M-T-W in the second) he will have only pitched one of those days.
But, geez, folks, c'mon. 5 out of 20 comments on that question?
@sweetness - wagner is hitting 96 on the gun. this is a bit different from smoltz/saberhagen, etc. this one is low risk (not my money) and high reward. if it doesn't work out, big deal. gagne was awful but didn't stop the sox from success.
Wow, math geniuses on this board.
Ummmm.... question: is the season three games long?
Seems like they might entertain offers for Paps this offseason with this acquisition...and regarding "ugh" 's comment the Yankees played the Tex thing very smartly and were not going to let him go to the Sox no matter what the price...it hurt the Sox more than it helped the Yanks so a tip of the hat might be in order to Cashman for that move...Crawford might be available via trade-market as well as Holliday as a free-agent...and who knows they might reopen the AD trade conduit in the offseason...seems also Lowell and Papi's days might be numbered...and to Kibitzer you can pitch day 1 and day 3 and still qualify as two out of three days...
This is a nice deal, I don't get where everyone is down on this. Wagner throws gas and can handle a New York or Boston sitch. He battles the lefties in the Shankees bandbox. And they get two picks: one could be the next Ellsbury, whose pick came from a free agent signing. I think the awarding of picks is actually too liberal in baseball. The owners control the picks and their salaries for too long, hello $300K Lester and Youkilis. For example, the Sawx control Wagner for a month and get two great picks for it? Theo knows like Coach Hoodie: stock your picks...
does varitek have to catch him or will martinez do?
Make Pap a starter...........
Why are people comparing Billy Wagner to Eric Gagne? Are you kidding me? Get a clue about baseball - Billy Wagner is not the same pitcher as Eric Gagne. And why are people trashing Theo for trying Smoltz? (one of the best pitchers in our lifetime) You win some you lose some. Your the same people who cried when we traded Nomar for Cabrera.
I think he can help the team, but I dislike his personality immensely. As long as he can blend into the team chemistry and not create friction, then it's a good move. Yes, chemistry can be overrated as professionals should be able to seperate their differences and play to win baseball games. The guy can/could pitch, but he also is a cardiac kid too. I could see Youkilis and him getting into a confrontation if Billy boy shoots off his big mouth. Chemistry would be enhanced by the Sox playing .750 ball the rest of the way. Winning like money generally creates tolerance of people differences if they all share in the pot/glory.
Enough with the math! The guy's a lefty and he is therefore the counter to the stacked Yankee lineup. Theoretically anyways.
Any lifetime stats on the Yankee at bats vs. Wagner?
Well, Frank Thomas is still out there................
How many of these cockimainy deals have we made after July 31? 12? How many have the Yankees made? None? Oh, that's right. It's because they planned ahead and got Sabathia, Burnett and Texierra. Too bad we can't get players like that. Jeez Theo, get your act together.
Just don't "expect too much" from Wags. It makes him feel icky.
I hope it's not a Gagne thing (which hurt then and hurts even more to watch Murphy playing well for Texas).
But does anybody think this is being done as insurance/leverage with Papelbon, kind of sending the message, "Look, you've had a decent run but there are guys who have done better and there are guys who will do better."
Just a thought. I don't think Wagner is the answer at all, and agree with the poster who commented that we could have sweetened the Martinez deal and gotten Cliff Lee (assuming Cleveland would have traded him within the AL).
Also possible that the Sox put in the claim to stop the Yankees from getting him and now figure, what the hell. He can't hurt. It's only a week until rosters expand and we can pitch him in mop up roles (i.e., when Penny starts again or Wake can only go 6 innings).
Papelbon can be - and has been - a beast, and I appreciate his candor. I would also never suggest that he should keep his mouth shut if he is asked a direct question, but I sure wish he didn't make me WANT to scream "shut up!" all the time. I want to like him and for him to have continued success as a Red Sox closer, but sometimes....
Theo does not appear to realize that the cash for clunkers program was terminated yesterday. He certainly has the market on pitchers with sore shoulders and surgically repaired arms. Let's hope it works!
How is Wagner vs. lefties? They do need a lefty specialist in the pen.
Doesn't smell right.
Paps and Wags will be at eachother's throats..
Billy wants to close...and Paps won't budge.
Sparks to fly.
Sometimes a no trade is a better trade.
Well I will say this...If he is so concerned about the free agent market and the dollars at the end of this season then he will be pitching at his best. WE ALL KNOW HOW PLAYER PLAY RIGHT BEFORE THEY ARE FREE AGENTS.Paps and Wagner may both be the same guy.Wagner is just and older more experienced big mouth redneck.
I hope they don't give up to much for him.Hate to see some of our good players or prospects go in return.
Type your comment here...
Theo is doing what any great GM would do, he is giving the bullpen more
depth and I for one won't buy into this messing up the chemistry. I also am not a big paps fan; mouth to big.
My uncle's 68, and he throws a wicked curveball...
You people are all so stupid. Wagner is not Gagne, he has potential to be much better.
Whats wrong with grabbing a solid left-handed reliever. The only one we currently have is Okajima. It's amazing how stupid people on here can be. We give up two low value prospects and if he leaves get two solidly positioned draft picks.
THEO IS SMARTER THAN YOU!
Wow..no wonder the rest of baseball hates Red Sox fans. Don't like the move? Don't watch...Don't like what they're paying him? Don't buy a ticket...Nick Carfardo says he's the ultimate clubhouse guy. Pat Burrell called him a 'rat'-who the f*&k is Pat Burrell? I'd rather be in a pennant race with Billy Wagner than Pat Burrell...geez, relax-he hasn't even thrown a pitch yet...
what number is he going to wear... Gonalez the SS has 13
It is not expected that any more than one of the two players the Sox are giving up will come from the 40-man roster, and neither is considered an upper-tier prospect On July 31, 2007, Gagné was traded to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Kason Gabbard and minor league outfielders David Murphy and Engel Beltre. They're not losing someone like Reddick in this deal, and is it even humanly possible for Wagner to pitch as bad as Gagne did? Unless this guy is a complete clubhouse cancer, it's a win. Also, the Sox did win the World Series in spite of Gagne.
what number is he going to wear... Gonalez the SS has 13
As a die hard sawx fan, I couldn't be any more petrified at what type of shenanigans will come from this. Despite my concerns over our underachieving bullpen, I'm not sure an extra arm is of any help.
I'm hoping Theo is not responsible for this year's seemingly veteran happy acquisition mantra. I hope he's still too smart for that.
Picking up Wagner? That's like the Edmund Fitzgerald signaling the Titanic's rescue crew to bring help.
He got aaaaaaaalll the way through to the red sox. Every other team that could have claimed him passed.
Does Theo know what his job is anymore??
Did he not learn from Smoltz Disaster!?
Imagine Tampa Bay off this clown. Good Grief!!
He got aaaaaaaalll the way through to the red sox. Every other team that could have claimed him passed.
Does Theo know what his job is anymore??
Did he not learn from Smoltz Disaster!?
Imagine Tampa Bay off this clown. Good Grief!!
For not spending the money on Tex, the Sox are sure paying for it now. Renting players after the all-star break isn't going to pay off, either. This team has been a mess since the AS break, and from the looks of it, will be a mess until the starting rotation 1-4 is stable, the SS spot isn't a revolving door and the lineup isn't changed everyday. This team, as it stands today, is not a playoff team. Trading for Wagner is just grasping at straws.
Theo is in talks with NY about getting Cal Ripken and Rickey Henderson from the Cooperstown Hall of Famers for 4 minor league prospects
let me see???? someone who might be able to get leftys out. Oh wait, At least every three games he might be able. Another scrap heep pick up. I guess Theo will never learn. It doesn't work out 90% of the time and have to give up someone to get him. If your going to make a deal then make it a good one and get someone who actually has some years left