Because I keep posting about them, although this one is more Red Sox oriented beucase after a lot of rumors, and some complaining by Papelbon, the Mets and Red Sox finally agreed on a deal with the Mets sending Wagner to the Red Sox in exchange for two PTBNL.
I found the Papelbon comments pretty funny. I mean he has a point, why mess with a good thing, but this is coming from the guy that said he should be the closer over Mariano at the all-star game last year at Yankee Stadium.* Plus, if the Sox are close to acquiring a player, why talk publicly that you don't need that player? Sure, maybe Wagner comes in and it doesn't work out too well like the Gagne situation that Papelbon mentioned, but what would be worse is saying how you don't want Wagner to come and then having to actually deal with him coming.
*A year later and Mo is still better. Papelbon has a 2.04 ERA but on the heels of a 3.6 (a career worst) FIP, and 1.30 WHIP (a career worst). Meanwhile, Mr. Mo has a 1.87 ERA and a 2.84 FIP. He's struck out 59 batters and walked 9, good for a mind boggling 6.56 k/bb, lightyears ahead of Papelbon's 2.42. Papelbon is still an elite closer, but before people try saying he's the Red Sox' Mo, let's see him do it for another 10 years without skipping a beat.
The Red Sox have the best bullpen in the league and they likely don't need Billy Wagner, but that doesn't mean he won't make them a better team. It may be overkill, but the Sox can afford overkill so why not try it out? Plus, there are other teams who could use Wagner's services like the Rangers, Yankees, and Rays, so even just as a way of blocking them this seems like a harmless move. Another plus that seems to be forgotten is that he's lefty and throws 95. Wanger won't be the difference between the Sox making the playoffs or not, but if they do make the playoffs, he could have a big effect on how Francona is able to use his pen, and in a good way.
Recent struggles aside, Daniel Bard seems to be fit to close in the future and if not Billy Wagner could be a capable closer next year if all goes well. That is to say next season do the Red Sox really need Papelbon? It's a move that fans would hate, but a move that's smart and a move that a team like the Red Sox (and maybe only the Red Sox) would make. Teams love having that sure-fire closer and they spend millions of dollars on even average ones. The Red Sox can't go year to year with Papelbon forever, soon he will get expensive and require a multi year deal. I imagine there will be an NL team or two willing to give up some nice pieces for Papelbon this offseason, I wonder if the Red Sox will bite.
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