Papelbon, Delcarmen speak out on Wagner

by Eli Greenspan on Aug 23, 2009 3:47 PM EDT

While Billy Wagner appears more than willing to join the Boston Red Sox, some of the Sox key players are not so thrilled about the possibility of the late season addition.

"Is he ready to pitch or is he not?" closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "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."

Wagner has pitched an inning this season, striking out two. In the first strike out he got the hitter to go high and outside on a fastball, while the second strike out was a slider that broke towards his toes -- vintage Wagner.

Nevertheless, some Red Sox players do not want to deviate from what has been a solid run so far.

"I think our bullpen is fine right now," reliever Manny Delcarmen said. "If [Wagner] comes and helps us win, that's what we want. But sometimes, shaking things up this late might work out different. We'll see what happens."

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mets hold off on trading Wagner. Let him pitch in the final month of the season to build up his trade value for an offseason trade. Several teams are interested in Wagner but do not have the room to add him at this time.

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$8M next season

I don’t see the Mets being willing to hold Wagner for next season. It’s an $8M club option and $1M buyout for next season. And the Mets have Francisco Rodriguez on the books for $11.5M next year. Unless K-Rod blows out an elbow in the last month and needs surgery, I don’t think there’s any way the Mets, or any other team, would pickup Wagner’s option and pay a 39 yr old potential setup man who’s just returned from Tommy John surgery $8M.

Counting the $2.5M left for ‘09, the Mets save $3.5M even if they don’t get anything in return and let him go on waivers. No team would trade for him in the offseason when they could just wait for him to be released.

by 18 Mile on Aug 24, 2009 6:26 AM EDT reply actions

Papelbon calling out Wagner is pathetic. What has he done? Well he’s been an elite closer much longer than you for one, once you match his career numbers then you can talk. It’s not like he’s a threat to take your job either so calm down there

by McCann's the Man on Aug 24, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions