Lou: Gregg is no longer the closer

[A-Cal]

Just seen this on Fanball.com

 

According to the Twitter page of The Sports Network baseball writer Chris Ruddick, the Chicago Cubs are talking to the Mets about the pollibility of acquiring former closer Billy Wagner. Wagner is coming off Tommy John surgery, and he is expected to be activated by Friday.

 

Our View

With the recent struggles of closer Kevin Gregg and the inability of Carlos Marmol to throw strikes, Wagner would be a perfect fit in Chicago. He is a bit of an unknown at this point, but he is almost certainly a better option than Gregg. If Wagner would go to Chicago to close, he would instantly be a valuable fantasy piece and will fly off the free agent market.

 

dear lord, will it never end?

[Prizefight]

Just seen this on Fanball.com

 

According to the Twitter page of The Sports Network baseball writer Chris Ruddick, the Chicago Cubs are talking to the Mets about the pollibility of acquiring former closer Billy Wagner. Wagner is coming off Tommy John surgery, and he is expected to be activated by Friday.

 

Our View

With the recent struggles of closer Kevin Gregg and the inability of Carlos Marmol to throw strikes, Wagner would be a perfect fit in Chicago. He is a bit of an unknown at this point, but he is almost certainly a better option than Gregg. If Wagner would go to Chicago to close, he would instantly be a valuable fantasy piece and will fly off the free agent market.

 

dear lord, will it never end?

 

Isn't he all sorts of the wrong side of 30? Like pushing 40 hard?

 

 

edit: Born in 1971...no thanks, you can keep him.

[laurens]

Just seen this on Fanball.com

 

According to the Twitter page of The Sports Network baseball writer Chris Ruddick, the Chicago Cubs are talking to the Mets about the pollibility of acquiring former closer Billy Wagner. Wagner is coming off Tommy John surgery, and he is expected to be activated by Friday.

 

Our View

With the recent struggles of closer Kevin Gregg and the inability of Carlos Marmol to throw strikes, Wagner would be a perfect fit in Chicago. He is a bit of an unknown at this point, but he is almost certainly a better option than Gregg. If Wagner would go to Chicago to close, he would instantly be a valuable fantasy piece and will fly off the free agent market.

 

dear lord, will it never end?

 

Isn't he all sorts of the wrong side of 30? Like pushing 40 hard?

 

38 and coming off TJS. I don't see this ending well.

[Wheelimus]

Well, it wasn't going to work out well Wagner or not. Might as well go for complete clusterfudge

[Outshined_One]

Just call up some random schlub from AAA and have him close. I'd rather not waste resources on Billy flipping Wagner.

[Keener98]

Just call up some random schlub from AAA and have him close. I'd rather not waste resources on Billy flipping Wagner.

 

I cant imagine it would cost much to get him at this point. Id be all for it if it costs very little. Has he been pitching rehab games at all?

[fromthestretch]

Is Wagner a free agent after this season, or does he have another year on his contract?

 

While I'd hate to think what the Cubs would give up in return for Wagner, he's done very well in his rehab, fanning 10, walking none, and allowing three hits in seven innings. Granted, that's at rookie ball and high-A, but it doesn't appear his command has suffered. I'm curious to know what his velocity has been.

[PrimeTime]

Heres from WiKi

 

In September 2008, the Mets announced that Wagner tore the medial collateral ligament in his left elbow and his flexor pronator, would require Tommy John surgery, and he would be out for a year.[2] Wagner, who has a guaranteed contract, will be paid $10.5 million in 2009. For 2010, the Mets have a $8 million option with a $1 million buyout option. [3] In a news conference following the injury announcement, Wagner vowed to return playing. Although having previously stated that he will not pitch beyond the 2009 season, Wagner said he does not want to end his career in this fashion, and would like to win a World Series and reach around-420 saves.[4] However, Wagner stated that he has "played his last game as a Met". Wagner explained that it would not make sense for the Mets to pick up the 2010 $8 million option.[5] Despite this, Wagner remains on the Mets roster on the DL at the start of the 2009 season. However, he may be able to pitch for the Mets in August.

[A-Cal]

Is Wagner a free agent after this season, or does he have another year on his contract?

 

While I'd hate to think what the Cubs would give up in return for Wagner, he's done very well in his rehab, fanning 10, walking none, and allowing three hits in seven innings. Granted, that's at rookie ball and high-A, but it doesn't appear his command has suffered. I'm curious to know what his velocity has been.

 

I think I just read it was in the mid-nineties...so...not bad i suppose...

[Keener98]

Is Wagner a free agent after this season, or does he have another year on his contract?

 

While I'd hate to think what the Cubs would give up in return for Wagner, he's done very well in his rehab, fanning 10, walking none, and allowing three hits in seven innings. Granted, that's at rookie ball and high-A, but it doesn't appear his command has suffered. I'm curious to know what his velocity has been.

 

I think I just read it was in the mid-nineties...so...not bad i suppose...

 

If hes back in the mid 90s and hasnt walked anyone in his rehab, bring him in. Id even be interested in having him back for 1 season next year at a 4-5 mil pricetag.

[Keener98]

Wagner, 38, said he's consistently registering 93-94 mph with his fastball, and is throwing a slider that is sharper than in recent years. He likely will need a couple of days recovery time between appearances at first.

 

 

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2009/08/18/2009-08-18_billy_wagner.html#ixzz0OZJCBLMc

[fromthestretch]

Is Wagner a free agent after this season, or does he have another year on his contract?

 

While I'd hate to think what the Cubs would give up in return for Wagner, he's done very well in his rehab, fanning 10, walking none, and allowing three hits in seven innings. Granted, that's at rookie ball and high-A, but it doesn't appear his command has suffered. I'm curious to know what his velocity has been.

 

I think I just read it was in the mid-nineties...so...not bad i suppose...

 

If hes back in the mid 90s and hasnt walked anyone in his rehab, bring him in. Id even be interested in having him back for 1 season next year at a 4-5 mil pricetag.

 

Well, if the contract details posted above are correct, he's owed about $3 million more this season, with a team option of $8 million for next season. If you want to bring him back next year for $4-5 million, you first have to buy him out for $1 million. Even then, he might get a better offer elsewhere.

[Keener98]

Is Wagner a free agent after this season, or does he have another year on his contract?

 

While I'd hate to think what the Cubs would give up in return for Wagner, he's done very well in his rehab, fanning 10, walking none, and allowing three hits in seven innings. Granted, that's at rookie ball and high-A, but it doesn't appear his command has suffered. I'm curious to know what his velocity has been.

 

I think I just read it was in the mid-nineties...so...not bad i suppose...

 

If hes back in the mid 90s and hasnt walked anyone in his rehab, bring him in. Id even be interested in having him back for 1 season next year at a 4-5 mil pricetag.

 

Well, if the contract details posted above are correct, he's owed about $3 million more this season, with a team option of $8 million for next season. If you want to bring him back next year for $4-5 million, you first have to buy him out for $1 million. Even then, he might get a better offer elsewhere.

 

He said hes unsure about pitching next year, but if he shows hes healthy, I really wouldnt be worried about he 8 million. Hes hitting 93-94 right now, and says his slider is looking better than ever. Id rather pay him the 8 mil for 1 season, then see us sign Valverde, for 4 years or whatever.

[CUBZ99]

Maybe we could get Shark to waive his NTC to go to NY? I wouldn't want to give up a whole lot to get Wagner at this point in the season.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Maybe we could get Shark to waive his NTC to go to NY? I wouldn't want to give up a whole lot to get Wagner at this point in the season.

 

Problem with Shark is hes on the 40 man, so wed have to put him through waivers, and someone would probably claim him.

[NCCubFan]

No thanks; we'll pass on Wagner. Pitchers returning from TJS almost always struggle for awhile before regaining their effectiveness. There's no reason to expect him to be effective this year.

[Roast]

I didnt read much of the first couple pages but my reactions are this:

 

Yay. Guzman would be a good candidate. Yay. Marshall wouldnt be bad either. Yay, again.

[Soonernation]

About [expletive] time Lou

[Brian]

CST Twitter says it's Marmol

[BCVM22]

Oh lord

[Cubswin11]

CST Twitter says it's Marmol

I set the over/under at 3.5 save opportunities until Lou removes Marmol from closer role.

[E.J.]

CST Twitter says it's Marmol

 

Meh. Whatever. I don't think it matters all that much who's closing. We'll see how Marmol does.

[chuckywang]

UPDATE: Gregg demoted to minor league batting practice pitcher

[NCCubFan]

UPDATE: Gregg demoted to minor league batting practice pitcher

:lol:

[Monco]

Wagner seems logical for Hendry,who likes trying to catch lightning in a bottle.