Wagner Signs with Mets
Fox Sports is reporting that Billy Wagner has signed with the New York Mets. Our free spending rivals in NY offered a four-year deal worth $43 million and it was accepted. If you thought 3 years was too much to give Wagner, you’ll be real disappointed to know that the Mets deal also includes a team option 5th year worth $10 million or a $3 million buyout. According to WFAN Billy-boy is on his way to NY to hammer out the deal as we speak.
The Phils are now faced with that ominous Plan C we spoke of earlier (Plan B, B.J. Ryan signed with Toronto last week). Free-agent right-hander Tom Gordon now becomes the most likely option for the Phils next choice. With the closer free agent market being driven by high demand, the 38 year old Gordon may hold out for a 3 year deal
. Several commenters have suggested the potential to use Vicente Padilla as a closer; though, I would rank that around Plan H. In fact, Mr. Gillick said earlier that he will look outside the organization to fulfill the role of closer and that Trevor Hoffman might also be an option – we’ll say Plan D.I do wonder now how the Phillies off season priorities have shifted. Resigning Wagner was number 1, but now that he’s walked is replacing him just as important?
