Wagner a Brave, Maybe
Reports are circulating that Billy Wagner has agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Braves pending a physical. Assuming he passed the physical, the Red Sox will get draft pick compensation for losing Wagner as they offered him arbitration yesterday.
I'm not sure why we get so interested in draft pick compensation. Given how the current system works, you might be able to draft 1st round talent in the 10th round if a player is considered a "tough signing." Obviously if there is an undisputed top pick, it is nice to have top picks in the draft, but it seems fairly easy to work around not having those top picks.
The Red Sox also offered Jason Bay arbitration yesterday.
Now that teams have a working knowledge of which free agents will and will not cost a draft pick, we should start to see more deals over the coming days heading into the Winter Meetings.
Comments
I think it was a very good move by the Sox. They originally blocked the Yankees from getting Wagner- didn't matter in the end but it could have. They also sent what, two middling prospects to the Mets and now get probably two Top-50 picks in the draft in exchange. That's a pretty good move in my book.
The only thing I can't figure out is why Wagner didn't just accept arbitration instead of signing that extension. Since he made $10.5 million last year, the Red Sox would have had to offer at least $7.125 million and he could have won more.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 2, 2009 04:39 PM
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As I recall the Wagner "deal" when he signed on, Wagner made it clear that he wanted to finish out his career as a closer someplace. Were the Sox willing to let him close instead of Papelbon?
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 2, 2009 05:07 PM
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Ahh, that would explain it then.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 2, 2009 05:21 PM
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400 - that is the number Wagner wants so bad, 400 saves, 15 away from it right now
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 2, 2009 05:26 PM
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I give him some credit then because he could have accepted arbitration and earned more money and then acted like a miserable bastard to get a trade out of Boston.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 2, 2009 07:28 PM
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Considering the way he looked so soon after TJ surgery, I think Wagner will easily reach his 400 saves as a Brave, barring any surprises. He's just going to get stronger and more accurate in 2010 ...
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 3, 2009 11:28 AM
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