Gregg out as Cubs closer, Billy Wagner an option?
by Eli Greenspan on Aug 18, 2009 12:45 PM EDT
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PrintAfter watching closer Kevin Gregg give up four two-out runs in the ninth inning of a 4-1 loss versus the Padres, Cubs manager Lou Piniella decided to make a change.
"I think we're going to make some changes as far as what we're going to do in late innings," Piniella said. "We'll have some more tomorrow."
Angel Guzman and Carlos Marmol are the most likely replacements at the closer spot, but could the Cubs make a move for Billy Wagner? Wagner is coming off the disabled list Friday, and will likely play the role of a middle reliever unless the Mets can move him.The Mets already have two potential closers in JJ Putz and Francisco Rodriguez, so if the Cubs took on a small portion of his salary, the Mets might be interested.
Wagner has a one million dollar buyout at the end of the season, so it might be worth the Cubs' while to give him a shot. They had interest in B.J. Ryan, but he could not pull his velocity back up. Wagner, on the other hand, has a fastball registering around 93 mph and a slider that is as good as ever.
The Cubs are six games out of first and adding an All-Star closer could do wonders to Cubs in the late innings.
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Wagner
From the Mets stand point….get something done. Wagner won’t help them this season and they aren’t going to pick up his option. May as well get something back whether it’s salary relief or some 20 year old under the radar prospect who might turn into something but probably won’t.
From the Cubs/other teams perspective…Buyer be warned. Billy Wagner in his prime was a pitcher who relied on a 98 mph fastball and an “ok” slider. That 5 mph loss is a lot more severe for him then it would be for a different pitcher. Might be worth a gamble but I’d be scared to have him throwing the 9th inning for a contending team.
other teams (continued)
if one of those teams has another option (like the cubs with marmol or guzman) he could be used in a different role…
If the Cubs get Billy Wagner
and somehow, miraculously make the playoffs, I can see it now that Wagner blows a game or 2.
He’s the perfect choke artist for the Cubs (he learned well with the Mets and with the Phillies—when the Phillies were chokers)
Do what Jerry Hairston do
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