On Friday, former Phillie and current Met and redneck Billy Wagner was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. Wagner finally made his 2009 debut on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves, when he pitched one inning of scoreless baseball. Wagner’s season has been delayed due to his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he had back in September of 2008.
The former Phillies closer was placed on waivers by the Mets earlier in the week, and when he was posed with the possibility of rejoining his former team, Billy couldn’t wait to say something to show his lack of intelligence. He made mention of hating his two years in Philadelphia and couldn’t bare the thought of spending another two months in the city. It’s making public comments like those that earned Billy the nickname of “rat” by former Phil Pat Burrell.
Then, upon hearing the news that the Red Sox claimed him, Wagner told the AP that he wasn’t aware of anything going on with them, but he relished the idea of joining a contender with the possibility of pitching in the World Series. I’m sorry, Billy, are the Phillies not the defending world champs and leading their division this year? So wouldn’t that make them a contender as well? Just admit that your fragile little psyche and aging arm don’t have what it takes to pitch in meaningful games in October.
When healthy, Wagner can be an effective pitcher; after all, he was regarded as an elite closer for the last seven years or so. If Billy does go to Boston, he obviously won’t be used as their closer. The Red Sox have Jonathan Papelbon for that. Wagner will be used as more of a set-up man or as a left-handed situational pitcher for late in games. This may actual pose some problems if the Phillies were to face the Red Sox in the World Series, since the Phitans lineup is loaded with left-handed batters.
The Mets have until 1pm on Tuesday to either complete a trade with the Sox, pull Wagner’s name off of waivers (which will render Billy unable to traded again this year), or simply award the former closer to Boston. Either way, if Billy lands in Beantown, they will have to pay him about $3.5 million, which in my opinion, is entirely too much to pay for a rat.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Not only is Billy Wagner a rat. He is a stupid rat. Brad Lidge is in something of a slump. Although I believe the Phillies can/should stick with him and not close with Wagner, why would you bite the hand that might feed you?
ReplyDeleteIt would be a whole lot of fun to just see the Phillies rip a rat apart in the World Series.