So, the honeymoon is over for Billy Wagner in New York.On the Mets' Web site yesterday, the outspoken closer questioned the front office's decision to replace catcher Paul Lo Duca with Johnny Estrada, wondered where the rotation stands without Tom Glavine, cautioned against trading Aaron Heilman and worried the Mets may be a third-place team unless they strengthen their roster. Third place!
You can read the full story, but here's a taste of some of Wagner's comments:
"Someone asked me what I thought of our team. I said, 'What team?' We've lost 13 games [Glavine's 2007 win total], and now we are going have to give up something to get those games back. I'm afraid we're just going to create other holes if we give up a [Lastings] Milledge, a [Mike] Pelfrey or a Heilman.
"I'm trying to be positive. I'm saying we have some good players. But I'm worried. The Braves are getting better, and the Phillies made a move [acquiring Brad Lidge]. We've brought back some people, and that's good. But losing Tom is big. It's a lot more than the 13 games he won. It's what he did for John Maine and Oliver Perez and how professional he was. ... We don't have him [in '07], we don't even get to the last game with a chance. He was one of the few leaders we had.
"We're down 13 games already, plus all the games Tom deserved to win. Without Aaron, it'd be like another 10 or 12. It would be a big chance to take. Without Aaron, [the bullpen] don't even exist. No way you can trade him."
*
Stop the presses: the Phillies have solved their pitching problems. Well, not exactly.
They plucked 28-year-old lefty Shane Youman off waivers from the Pirates today. Youman went 3-5 with a 5.97 ERA in 16 games (eight starts) last season and was roughed up for 10 earned runs in six innings (15.00 ERA) over two appearances against the Phils. But he was more effective out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh, going 1-0 with a 3.54 ERA in 10 career relief appearances and could have a chance to be a second lefty out of the Phils' pen.
6 comments:
What goes around comes around i love this...
This could be an interesting pick-up... could go either way. Scott, any prediction on how Matt Smith will be next season? If he's at the top of his game, another lefty might be unnecessary and could be good trade-bait.
Andrew,
If you remember anything about Matt Smith, it should be how terribly ineffective he was and how he was afraid to pitch inside. I don't think either of these guys will amount to trade bait. Youman did well in the bullpen, according to Beerleaguer, but I don't think he has much value as a starter - the Phillies themselves shelled him.
Scott,
I do remember both pitchers being shelled, but they're both so young. Could it just be inexperience and nerves? Matt Smith was "supposed" to be a huge acquisition and he was great in 2006. His AAA numbers as a reliever are also great through 2007. And he only pitched 4 inn last season in the bigs. Perhaps Youman will be nothing at all, but I refuse to believe that we've seen everything Matt Smith has to offer.
Sorry, last post directed to Rob who commented to me, as well as Scott.
Wagner can be such a Jonas.
The Youman pickup is worth the shot. Maybe he makes the team, maybe not, but an extra lefty prone to throw the ground ball couldn't hurt if he pans out.
I'm in partial agreement with Andrew. I think it's too early to jump-ship on Smith, but because of that, I doubt he'd be trade-bait.
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