Braves To Sign Billy Wagner

[TheNamelessPoet]

Braves To Sign Billy Wagner

not sure how to feel

[rschusta24]

It feels good.

[Alloutwar]

it feels like you missed 2 threads that already had this posted

where is your all-Braves thread? can't you put this there?

Keep it tidy TNP, or we'll start taxing you for every new thread

[StreetMedic]

Surprised. Thought for sure he'd be coming back to the Sox.

[Alloutwar]

no way, he wanted to close somewhere, thats why he had the whole must-not-vest-option thingy when he was traded. And with his velocity back up after surgery, he appears to have the goods.

The Sox have space for him, and he'd be in the playoffs, but I think he wants to be relied on and pile up more numbers.

[200tang]

This was already posted in another thread, but I'm with you. It isn't really a BAD signing, but that's a lot of money to give to a reliever, let alone a 38 year old who's coming off TJ surgery and hasn't had an entire year of healthiness. In their favor, though, they only gave him one year. I know he has a vesting option, but if he's their closer (assumption), gaining 50 appearances will be a tough task unless he's healthy for a large majority of the season.

[StreetMedic]

no way, he wanted to close somewhere, thats why he had the whole must-not-vest-option thingy when he was traded.

Yes, and much was made of that when he went to Boston. But it seemed, based on the sports-radio chatter over the past couple of months, like he'd been softening a bit on that, and had reached a certain comfort level with the Sox.

The Sox have space for him, and he'd be in the playoffs, but I think he wants to be relied on and pile up more numbers.

Which would also be a change, because that's what he seemed to be saying he didn't want, when he first landed in Boston. Maybe because he wanted time to get comfortable pitching again?

[free2131]

The Sox have space for him, and he'd be in the playoffs, but I think he wants to be relied on and pile up more numbers.

What are you inferring...

Seriously, I like the signing. We spend $7 MM with only a 1 year commitment for an elite closer when we would have had to spend at least that with Soriano for multiple years (though I know he's younger) and we will get a top pick back once he or Gonzalez sign elsewhere (two if we are lucky).

[TheNamelessPoet]

What are you inferring...

Seriously, I like the signing. We spend $7 MM with only a 1 year commitment for an elite closer when we would have had to spend at least that with Soriano for multiple years (though I know he's younger) and we will get a top pick back once he or Gonzalez sign elsewhere (two if we are lucky).

thats true... and if he doesnt qualify for type A or B he wasnt very good and would not still be the cloer... interesting take... didnt think of that

[BINGLEBOP]

thats true... and if he doesnt qualify for type A or B he wasnt very good and would not still be the cloer... interesting take... didnt think of that

Plus, with Gonzo hiring Scott Boras as his agent, it's not like the Braves stood a chance.

[TheNamelessPoet]

Plus, with Gonzo hiring Scott Boras as his agent, it's not like the Braves stood a chance.

amen brotha lol

[haveacigar]

Actually, at first I thought this was a terrible signing, but, actually, it's not bad. They'll get the picks back, and Wagner should be capable of staying healthy and dominating at the closer role. I'm not a fan of signing FA closers to big money, but 1 year 7 mil doesn't really qualify as big money anyway.

[dickay]

i think its a great signing for Atlanta.

1) Wagner pitching in Boston was the best thing for him last year. Why..because he had the goods and displayed it on a big stage. He earned serious coin during that stint.

2) While I agree its alot of money, sometimes you have to pay based upon what else is available. Do I give overpay somewhat for an aging arm who i'm pretty confident has the goods to be a top flight closer, or do I pay market value for a lesser pitcher who is albeit cheaper but unlikely to solidify the role? If there were other options out there more enticing, that likely would've brought Wagners value down.

3) The Sox, with all their bullpen options weren't going to pay that coin to keep Wags. Heck, i'm not certain they aren't entertaining trading Papelbon. Atlanta and Wagner get a win/win here IMO.

[Jeffy25]

What is Mike Gonzalez supposed to get this off-season? Wouldn't the Braves rather have Gonzo rather than an outsider and lose a pick?



Or was he a type B?

[HoustonGM]

What is Mike Gonzalez supposed to get this off-season? Wouldn't the Braves rather have Gonzo rather than an outsider and lose a pick?



Or was he a type B?

Gonzalez is a Type A free agent.