http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/player/660 Recent articles about Billy Wagner en-us It's hot stove season, and the annual release of Elias' free agent rankings is upon us. It speaks to the volume of the CBA's absurdities that we rarely appreciate just how awful this system is. A quick recap for that majority of you who couldn't give a toss about baseball until springtime: as part of the collective bargaining agreement, MLB and the Players Association agree to let the Elias Sports Bureau use a formula to rank the free agents as either Type A, Type B and unclas... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:30:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Baseballs_Free_Agency_System_Is_Seriously_Seriously_Screwed_Up/1541131 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Baseballs_Free_Agency_System_Is_Seriously_Seriously_Screwed_Up/1541131 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Baseballs_Free_Agency_System_Is_Seriously_Seriously_Screwed_Up/1541131 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/91105881c4a6ad6ccac5941f7eb90cd71d878c9a/small/DODGERS_125a.jpg The Atlanta Braves should sign Billy Wagner to be their closer... this is pretty much a no-brainer, especially after I learned that his agent is named Bean Stringfellow. I repeat, his agent is named Bean Stringfellow... and he used to pitch in the Braves organization: First off, I love the stache. Classic late-70s, early 80s middle-American tweener stache. I think I had a couple of cousins who sported such a thing. I just can't get over that name, Bean Stringfellow. It literally ... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:23:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Why_the_Braves_should_sign_Billy_Wagner/1538930 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Why_the_Braves_should_sign_Billy_Wagner/1538930 The Atlanta Braves should sign Billy Wagner to be their closer... this is pretty much a no-brainer, especially after I learned that his agent is named Bean Stringfellow. I repeat, his agent is named Bean Stringfellow... and he used to pitch in the Braves organization: First off, I love the stache. Classic late-70s, early 80s middle-American tweener stache. I think I had a couple of cousins who sported such a thing. I just can't get over that name, Bean Stringfellow. It literally ... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:23:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Why_the_Braves_should_sign_Billy_Wagner/1538931 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Why_the_Braves_should_sign_Billy_Wagner/1538931 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Why_the_Braves_should_sign_Billy_Wagner/1538931 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/e/1ed5db8a29986c2fdb216367d2bc328eb9b0fd84/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274276.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB824CA870E9071077.jpg Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi are constantly updating their blog at FOX Sports with more info from the GM meetings. Here are some highlights from today:
 Rich Harden could be a good fit for the Seattle Mariners, especially given his past success in the American League West and the close proximity of his hometown (Victoria, British Columbia) to Seattle.
 Given their need for some offensive punch, the Mariners will also "kick the tires" on Jason Bay, says one major leagu... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:38:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rosenthal_And_Morosi_On_Harden_Putz_Wagner/1538555 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rosenthal_And_Morosi_On_Harden_Putz_Wagner/1538555 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rosenthal_And_Morosi_On_Harden_Putz_Wagner/1538555 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/f/ef90accf947e4935596a4fa792e11a22d5f81944/small/3e.png The free agent rankings are out, so ESPN.com's Buster Olney breaks down the winners and losers. Here are the details from his latest blog post:
 Billy Wagner is a Type A free agent, so teams will have to surrender a draft pick to sign him if the Red Sox offer arbitration, as expected. This hurts Wagner's value, since he's coming back from Tommy John surgery and teams will hesitate to give up a top pick for an injury risk.
 Olney wouldn't be surprised to see Mark DeRo... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:34:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Olney_On_Wagner_DeRosa_Betancourt_Wolf/1537763 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Olney_On_Wagner_DeRosa_Betancourt_Wolf/1537763 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Olney_On_Wagner_DeRosa_Betancourt_Wolf/1537763 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/2/82efae058b2581d1579d685ec25dbc0fe1e5319c/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f272610.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEBF2D699C94BBD2E52.jpg Earlier on Thursday, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay filed for free agency. Later in the day, two of his teammates joined him. Reliever Billy Wagner and reserve outfielder Rocco Baldelli both filed for free agency on Thursday afternoon. It was expected that Wagner would file for free agency and we know the Red Sox will offer [...] Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:41:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wagner_And_Baldelli_File_For_Free_Agency/1509329 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wagner_And_Baldelli_File_For_Free_Agency/1509329 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wagner_And_Baldelli_File_For_Free_Agency/1509329 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/b/ebf804ebbbf93db785c08399c57411da41b1afc0/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274283.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB52F89F09B8B08778.jpg View full size photo » I recently chatted with Nelfi Zapata, the Mets 19th Round pick out of English High School (MA),  who is working at the Mets Instructional League in the Dominican Republic. We talked about the instructional league, catching Billy Wagner, and the name of his fanclub, among other things. Check here for the full instructional league rosters. Sam Page: So, how's it going? Nelfi Zapata: It&#39... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:15:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Talking_With_Nefli_Zapata_From_Instructional_League/1503930 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Talking_With_Nefli_Zapata_From_Instructional_League/1503930 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Talking_With_Nefli_Zapata_From_Instructional_League/1503930 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/2/82efae058b2581d1579d685ec25dbc0fe1e5319c/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f272610.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEBF2D699C94BBD2E52.jpg Billy Wagner told the New York Post that he plans to retire in the offseason. “I don’t plan on talking to nobody,” Wagner said, when asked where he might pitch next season. Does that mean retirement? “Why wouldn’t I?” he said. “I’ve got nothing else to [accomplish].” That’s a different picture than Wagner painted before leaving the [...] Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_plans_to_retire/1365771 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_plans_to_retire/1365771 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_plans_to_retire/1365771 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/a/4a0de683b3ee15b5d0d63955e6cf3308efa9cf58/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274285.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEBE9096F2BE00A254A.jpg I love Billy Wagner. I thought we could take a break from playoff fever and Rockies talk (especially because I got to see two innings from the last three games...) and talk about our old friend because he had some interesting comments yesterday. When asked if he might retire, The Rat had this response:"Why wouldn't I? I've got nothing else to [accomplish]."Makes sense to me. Rookie of the Year. Cy Young. MVP. World Series Champion. Great reputation as a "gamer" and... Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:40:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wagner_Listens_To_Too_Much_Kansas/1360714 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wagner_Listens_To_Too_Much_Kansas/1360714 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wagner_Listens_To_Too_Much_Kansas/1360714 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c10e33cb2d6af808e2a0ceb9f9b45409af35b8a3/small/91753513.jpg When the Boston Red Sox acquired Billy Wagner in a trade with the New York Mets, they knew they weren’t going to re-sign him. Sox GM Theo Epstein planned on offering Wagner arbitration so that if Wags declined and signed somewhere else, the Red Sox could get two draft picks. Now it appears that might not [...] Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:12:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_To_Retire/1360044 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_To_Retire/1360044 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_To_Retire/1360044 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c10e33cb2d6af808e2a0ceb9f9b45409af35b8a3/small/91753513.jpg After all was said and done, it appears that all three sides were about to work everything out and Billy Wagner will be a Boston Red Sox.While nothing official has been announced, according to multiple reports Boston will pick-up the rest of Wagner's contract. The Mets will get two players to be named later, with Wagner requesting the Sox not offer Arbitration the Mets know that Wagner was going to free agency so hopefully they get the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick.I&#... Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:49:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Looks_like_Wagner_is_heading_to_Boston/1042847 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Looks_like_Wagner_is_heading_to_Boston/1042847 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Looks_like_Wagner_is_heading_to_Boston/1042847 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/9/898952654f10c5ef97ef67c159a79f5466455d41/small/wagner_small.jpg If you were a 38-year-old pitcher who never got past the LCS in your career, wouldn't you want a chance to play for a competitive team to try and get to – then maybe win – a World Series before your career is over? Not Billy Wagner, if you believe the report late last night by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Mets recently placed Wagner and his hefty contract, of which 3.5 million dollars still remains for this season, on waivers. Wagner missed much of the last two seasons ... Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:19:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_Likes_Being_a_Loser/1041971 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_Likes_Being_a_Loser/1041971 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Billy_Wagner_Likes_Being_a_Loser/1041971 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/9/898952654f10c5ef97ef67c159a79f5466455d41/small/wagner_small.jpg It sounds as if Billy Wagner won't be throwing for a playoff team this season, or even a possible contender. After Boston claimed him off waivers, giving the Mets through early Tuesday to work a trade with the Red Sox out, Wagner has refused to waive his no-trade clause, reports Ken Rosenthal. The sticking point was as follows: Wagner, through his agent, Bean Stringfellow [yep], communicated to the Red Sox that he only would accept a trade if the team met two conditions.  The Sox agreed t... Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:30:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rosenthal_Wagner_Refuses_Trade_to_Sox_Staying_With_Mets/1040035 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rosenthal_Wagner_Refuses_Trade_to_Sox_Staying_With_Mets/1040035 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rosenthal_Wagner_Refuses_Trade_to_Sox_Staying_With_Mets/1040035 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/6/56893ed87f1a41606b01cc447bbb165e8bc970af/small/Billy_Wagner_120d.jpg According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Mets left-hander Billy Wagner has been claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox, according to two major-league sources. The Mets now have three options: They can work out a trade with the Red Sox by 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday; they can allow Wagner to depart on the [...] Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:31:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Claim_Billy_Wagner_Off_Waivers/1024774 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Claim_Billy_Wagner_Off_Waivers/1024774 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Claim_Billy_Wagner_Off_Waivers/1024774 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/a/cad5305ba4507edc069db46cb6a0ea2d23b5b4f2/small/82055166.jpg