MLB - Sports Rumors

Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:31 am EDT

Angels of Anaheim wanted Billy Wagner

By Mark Miller

“BillyNow that Billy Wagner(notes) has gotten his way and had the Boston Red Sox promise not to sign him for next season, he'll be moving up the coast from his spot in the bullpen of the New York Mets. But he could have been moving to California if someone else had gotten their way.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim apparently also had an interest in snagging Wagner, according to the Los Angeles Times, but it is unclear whether general manager Tony Reagins actually claimed Wagner off of waivers. If he had, he wouldn't have gotten him anyway because the team with the lesser record gets the player (and this time that would have been Boston).

Anaheim is still trying to find relief help through the waiver wire, though. After all, it only has two members of the bullpen - closer Brian Fuentes(notes) and Darren Oliver(notes) - who have finished out a major-league season by actually being on the roster of a big-league team. Even though the Angels have the better record at 74-50, that bullpen inexperience may show in the postseason where they just might meet up with Boston in the first round.

Source: Los Angeles TimesNew Window

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162 Comments

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  1. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    1. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:44 am EDT

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    Anyone else think Wagner made a big deal about the arbitration to help trick the Sox into offering it to him after the season
  2. darby
    2. Posted by darby Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:56 am EDT

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    I wish wanger would of went to anaheim or stayed in ny cause I think he sucks big time.
  3. ricko
    3. Posted by ricko Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:59 am EDT

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    why would wagner want arbitration after elbow problems at 39
  4. BullseyeBarry
    4. Posted by BullseyeBarry Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:17 am EDT

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    Yeah...Wagner sucks big time..... C'mon. In only one season has he had an ERA above the 2s.
  5. Matt
    5. Posted by Matt Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:21 am EDT

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    #3,
    Because he'll get a raise on what he made this year most likely. Very rarely (even with an injury) does a player get less money when going to arbitration, even at 39.
    I don't think that's what he wants though. He knows he won't close in Boston, so will want to go elsewhere.....though if offered arbitration.....it could really cut down on the teams looking to sign him, as it'll be a tough pill to swallow for teams to lose a draft pick to sign a guy like Wagner. Not a ton of contending teams in need of a closer....maybe Atlanta or Texas?
  6. imayankee4life
    6. Posted by imayankee4life Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:55 am EDT

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    Wagner is a good player but I don't think he will be effective for the Red Sox. I personally hope that his arm falls off and that papelbon hurts his ankle while dancing with jason varitek. The Red Sox were the "Favorite" at the begining of the season and where are they now??? 6 games behind the Yankees......the 1st place New York Yankees!!!
  7. Tyler West
    7. Posted by Tyler West Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:58 am EDT

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    THis doesnt matter the thing the angels need to worry about is lackey going to the yankees and this offense next year since were losing matsui we will have around 40 mil cap space championship team the offense would never be beaten with a lineup jeter,damon,tex,arod,holliday,posada,cano,swisher,cabrera
    and pitching
    1 SABATHIA
    2 BURNETT
    3 LACKEY
    4 CHAMBERLAIN
    5 PHIL HUGHES NO ANDY PETTITE HE WILL RETIRE THEN WE WILL GET ONE OR TWO BULLPEN GUYS SINCE WERE LOSING PHIL OUT OF PEN THE PLAN IS FOR HIM TO START
  8. imayankee4life
    8. Posted by imayankee4life Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:02 am EDT

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    Wagner is a good player but I don't think he will be effective for the Red Sox. I personally hope that his arm falls off and that papelbon hurts his ankle while dancing with jason varitek. The Red Sox were the "Favorite" at the begining of the season and where are they now??? 6 games behind the Yankees......the 1st place New York Yankees!!!
  9. rjd
    9. Posted by rjd Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:09 am EDT

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    ATTENTION YAHOO
    imayankee4life, just changed its name to : imad@uchebag4life.
  10. Tom P
    10. Posted by Tom P Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:21 am EDT

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    Hey Nike Pro.....Lackey to the Yankee's.....right. Why does everyone think that the ultimate Free Agent destination is the Yankee's.
    No way he signs there. If anything, he'd go someplace closer to home, like Texas or Houston, before he goe's to NY.
    That being said.....look for Lack to be back in the Angel Red for the next 4 - 5 years.
  11. imayankee4life
    11. Posted by imayankee4life Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:30 am EDT

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    Cosmos you must be a Sox fan........moron
  12. joarby2
    12. Posted by joarby2 Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:37 am EDT

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    Artist, Nah! He didn't trick anyone...just wants to be a closer again in a competitive team!
    Darby, have you ever watch the guy pitch...better yet why don't you take a look at his stats b/f you speak! Don't forget he has been in the ML for quite sometimes. He has proven that he is consistent year in and year out. Whether he will do well in the AL is up for debate especially after surgery!
  13. The Real Deal
    13. Posted by The Real Deal Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:44 am EDT

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    The Red Sox will offer arbitration to Wagner as a formality, and in order to receive draft picks when Wagner signs with somebody else. Clearly Wagner wants to be a closer next year and the Sox have Papelbon, so his stay in Boston will last only until the end of the current season.
  14. DIAMANT
    14. Posted by DIAMANT Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:54 am EDT

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    wagner is a mercinary.. if he can get away with what he's doing, all the more power to him. I personaly would not have given him squat..he hasn't earned the priviledge to play with the bosox!
  15. joarby2
    15. Posted by joarby2 Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:55 am EDT

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    Nike Pro, I don't think they will sign either Holliday or Lackey! Holliday proved that he is just an ordinary player in the AL. His production has dropped dramatically and I am willing to bet that he just got of the Roid back in 07 season unless he is not healthy! As for Lackey, Yanks have several great starters already and may want to add but it's not a dired situation. I don't see him coming to NYY.
    I watched Joba last night getting smacked around a little bid with the help of Posada of course! Posada has been involve in all NYY blowouts this season! I've been saying this since last season...calls a terrible game! They need to push for another catcher or bring up Cervelli along with Molina next season and have Posada DH. Getting back to Joba, his overall game has changed. He is a different pitcher now...working on many types of pitches, he is definitely learning how to pitch. Just wish they would pair him up with Molina so he could learn more! Look for Joba to be dominant in the next couple of years! When you are working on something new it will always set you back initially...so Yankee fans don't give up on Joba just yet!
  16. The Real Deal
    16. Posted by The Real Deal Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:58 am EDT

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    imayankee "The Red Sox were the favorite at the beginning of the season".
    Where was that, at your house? In Vegas, the Yankees were strong favorites from the git go after spending $400 million for Teixeira, Sabathia, and Burnett.
    Nike Pro,
    It has always amazed me how Yankee fans speculate about winning championships with players from other teams, but I think your post may be a first. Speculation on winning the 2010 championship after you get Lackey, when the 2009 title has yet to be decided and your guys are in the thick of it.
  17. joarby2
    17. Posted by joarby2 Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:06 am EDT

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    Diamant...Theo is a smart GM, he recognized that he failed in bringing in the big bats so he has to plug other areas as best as he could. Making the bullpen unhittable is the best way b/c in a short series the Sox has probably the best chance of winning against anyone out there! The problem is with Beckett...not sure if this guy is 100% healthy! Some games he throws 96-97 to set up his off speed but when he throws 92-94 that's when he gets demolished...not sure why! However, if hitters jumps on his first pitch fastball then he is done...doesn't matter if it's 96!
  18. The Real Deal
    18. Posted by The Real Deal Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:13 am EDT

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    joarby2,
    -If you are right about Beckett, the Red Sox should designate him for assignment right now. LMAO!
  19. jd 1
    19. Posted by jd 1 Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:20 am EDT

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    Real, did you bet the house on the Yanks? Your looking good right now. LOL
  20. jd 1
    20. Posted by jd 1 Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:31 am EDT

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    joarby, I'm more concerned about Joba, he was li up last night, this 8 days between starts is not working. He needs to get turned around and fast.
  21. The Real Deal
    21. Posted by The Real Deal Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:35 am EDT

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    jd,
    I actually rooted for the Yankees last night. Never again. I am worried about Wakefield's return tonight, only because Victor Martinez is going to try to catch him. I would have activated Kottaras for tonight's game, as he has been catching Wake at Pawtucket. The Sox are waiting for Sept. 1, when the rosters can be expanded. This will probably be the only time Martinez will catch Wakefield, but the Sox are in a dogfight for the wildcard and can't afford to give a game away. They also can't count on Texas losing, especially when they are playing you know who.
  22. jd 1
    22. Posted by jd 1 Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:41 am EDT

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    real, so it was you who jinxed the Yanks last night. LOL I hear ya about Wake, I think Victor will be ok, we shall see. If he does a good job, his stick in the lineup helps you guys. BTW Garcia pitched pretty good last night. That shocked me a little.
  23. Thomas
    23. Posted by Thomas Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:02 pm EDT

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    you yankee fans are always over confident,wagner will help boston against all those leftys the yankees have,we'll see how good the yanks starters will be in october,i'd be worried after sabathia.. go red sox
  24. Troy
    24. Posted by Troy Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:06 pm EDT

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    So is Wagner going to be another Eric Gagne?
  25. doozi1
    25. Posted by doozi1 Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:07 pm EDT

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    Strange how soooo many Yankee fans care to post on the Red Sox fan site. Obviously they don't have a life and spend all their time worrying and fixating on what our organization does or does not do, so sad for them.

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