Phillies Nation

22 Responses to “Wagner Signs with ATL; Phils look at Putz”

1. Geoff Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm

   Ill take Betancourt.

2. The Original Chuck P Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm

   Wagner didn’t screw it up for the rest…. the Braves screwed themselves. I don’t think that this dictates anything. It sure is surprising but teams aren’t going to spend what they don’t have. Much like last season, teams that are patient will find good options at bargain prices.

3. Pat Gallen Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm

   Chuck, what I meant the Braves screwed the rest of the teams looking for help. I’m just blaming him because I feel like it, haha.

4. Geoff Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm

   The problem is that the market will develop BASED on what Wagner got, he signed first. Thats how “free market” situation works. The ONLY way it will not do that is if ALL other teams go down the list with EVERY free agent at that position left and say, in unison, NO – this was a bad contract.

   This screwed up the market for relievers, most definitely. 7M for a former closer nearing 40 coming off injuries?

5. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 2:21 pm

   Betancourt was offered arbitration by the Rockies. Not sure if the Phils think he is worth a pick. Putz, Gonzalez and Soriano have had major health problems lately. Not sure if any of those are worth a chance to put them into major roles right away.

6. The Original Chuck P Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm

   I feel you… anything else we can pin on Wagner?

   The Braves made a bad deal but in a market like this, I don’t think that one transaction can impact the entire market like it does in most years. We will see, though. Remember, last offseason started with the Yankees signing Tex, CC and Burnett to mega deals. There are years when momentum is set early but right now I feel like salaries are going to be topped out for a year or two because there aren’t enough teams looking to spend.

7. Don M Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm

   It really doesn’t have anything to do with any other player..

   We jumped on Ibanez really early last year.. and as it turns out.. we paid WAY MORE for him than other

   There are more relievers and 3b than there are Teams that want them… so the market is looking good for the Phillies

   The Braves wanted a LHP .. and I guess Wagner took more money from ATL instead of playing as a setup man for someone else

8. psujoe Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 3:30 pm

   I’d go for Lyons myself.

   What;s the date to accept arbitration?

9. George Says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 4:06 pm

   The Wagner signing may affect what other CLOSERS might command in salary, but I don’t think that’s what the Phils are after. They need an emergency option, but you can’t sign a Valverde or Soriano as a backup plan, because they’ll opt for full time work. (They’ll get it, too.)

   I don’t think this high-priced signing means much, at least for the Phils, except they’ll have to face Wagner sometimes, which they’ve done before.

10. joedad Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    $7 million isn’t that much for a veteran closer and it is only a one year deal if he sucks. It is what Danny Baez is paid so it fits. Of those you listed, Valverde is the only one that may be paid near what you suggest because he is a bona fide closer. The others are setup guys first and possible closers.

    Putz is coming off 2 injury plagued seasons and will be lucky to get a decent one year deal. I’d take him but wouldn’t rely on him being any more than a middle reliever.

    I’d love to see Betancourt here

11. canesboy Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    I hope that the Braves have a good oncologist on their staff because Wagner is a cancer. Just when I thought we might have to worry about the Braves next season they sign this guy, look like a solid 4th place finish to me, with lots of interesting quotes in the paper.

12. George Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    I would think they’d also need a proctologist. Wagner is an @@$hole, and Frank Wren seems to have his head up his butt.

13. Geoff Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 pm

    That guy is such a turd. That will guarantee they dont win the division, just go ahead and let Soriano and Gonzalez walk and sign this TURDFACE. HAHAHAHAHAHAH. WAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Excellent.

14. Jesus Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm

    I seem to be in the minority, but I think this is a good signing for the Braves. I figured he would have signed a deal loaded with incentives, so I am shocked at the amount of the deal. Braves have pitching depth if they want to use it to fill some of their other holes, so I obviously don’t think they are done at all.

15. GWFightinsFan Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    So apparently the Phils are hot on the trail of Placido Polanco…I think I like it!

16. Ed 2 Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm

    i liked it 4 years ago, but he seems to be on the decline. I will still take a .290 hitter who doesnt strike out though. Hes the only guy out there who doesnt seem to have a glaring negative

17. Ryk Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 10:49 pm

    @Don M. You read my mind regarding Ibanez. Both he and Burrell had similar offensive stats and similar defensive liabilities heading into the hot stove season, and look at the difference in the deals these 2 signed.

18. The Little Guy Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Geoff, you def say turd face, wow i didnt know we were 12

19. George Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    Jesus,

    I would agree that this could be a good signing for the Braves, because when he’s right, Wagner is very, very good. But he’s also old, coming off surgery, and can be a real clubhouse jerk. 7 million is a huge gamble.

    I also agree that the Braves aren’t done, but will have problems trading their so-called pitching depth. No one is going to take a chance with the ineffective Lowe’s huge contract, and if they manage to trade Vazquez, they’ll have a gaping hole in their rotation.

20. George Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    Turdface works for me, but then, I may be in my second childhood.

    You have to call Wagner something, but more accurate terminology would have been censored.

21. Georgie Says:
    December 4th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Well, I call him F U Billy Wagner, but Turdface is just fine too. Along with the oncologist and proctologist, they will also need a gynecologist since he’s cattier than most women and no doubt suffers from PMS.

    I’m glad someone else signed his sorry butt, he is one person I truly dislike.

22. Brian of CO Says:
    December 10th, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    Please tell me the Phillies do NOT sign Putz. That would be a mistake for the ages.

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