Omar courts Wagner....

[Zvon]

The Mets went and met with Billy Wagner at his home, sharing pleasentries and such over dinner. I think they were wooing Wags wife as much as him,lol. They talked "team direction".

I like this move....I like it alot.

And I find it very hard to believe that Omar and Co. went to Wagners farm and did not mention one word about $$$.
But thats what reports indicate.
(they are not allowed to for a week or so as the Phils have dibs)

The reliever says he will go with the team who has the best chance and is most commited to winning. Not that I care what Wags thinks, but if he chooses the Mets I will be doing a lil off season jig of joy.

The new Philly GM, Gillick, is a factor I didnt count on at seasons end. That guy knows baseball and will be a fine GM for the Phils. He will make resigning Wagner his top priority and may make a difference in Wagners mind.

But I think we have the edge on the Wagner market right now :)

[seawolf17]

Feed his llamas, Omar.

[smg58]

I like Wagner too, but there are too many other relievers on the market to justify four years and $40M, if that's what it takes to get it done.

[Valadius]

BJ Ryan would be a wiser choice.

[Elster88]

smg58 wrote: I like Wagner too, but there are too many other relievers on the market to justify four years and $40M, if that's what it takes to get it done.

I agree. Fortunately, these numbers seem to have come from your imagination. I'm hoping so, at least.

[smg58]

This is from the Newsday column Yancy quoted in the "gather the wood" topic on Nov. 5:

One person familiar with the situation said Friday that Wagner could push for as many as four years, at a minimum of $10 million per year.

[Elster88]

Ugh....I agree with you then. Too much money.

[Elster88]

Though, it's not my money. If they can pay that much and still buy other stuff, why not?

[Valadius]

$10 million a year is far too much money for a reliever. The absolute max I would allow would be $7 million.

[Guest Rotblatt]

I'm more worried about the four years part. Ugh.

If we do this, I hope it's a creative contract, ala Beltran.

[Frayed Knot]

Not sure that Beltran's deal was all that creative aside from a bit of deferred money. That's fine for the team accountants, but they're still locked in for 7 years and the entire amount no matter how he plays.

My worry with these things - and especially with pitchers - is the length more than the money. Aside from the way one contract affects another I don't particularly care what they pay these guys.

Having said that I'm not all that sure that the 4/$40 numbers being so casually thrown around is set in stone as much as it is a top-end hope from the Wagner camp. Something else I read suggested that maybe he's playing the Mets off against the Phils in order to get what he really wants; and that's to get his 3rd year guaranteed.
3 years is a lot saner than 4 ... something I'm sure I was saying right around this time last year while discussing Pedro.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I suspect that if the Mets do sign Wagner, it will be for an amount very close to, if not more than, he's currently asking. With a half dozen teams interested in him, he won't come cheap.

[Diamond Dad]

For a hard-thrower who has been on the disabled list each of the last three years with arm problems, I'd be surprised if there are any GMs out there who are going to give him a guaranteed 4-year deal.

I'd give him 2 years at $10 million per, with a guarantee for a 3rd year IF he appears in a fixed number of games (say, 55?) so that if he's on the shelf for any significant time, then the guarantee becomes an option. Then a team option for the 4th year with a buy-out.

[Zvon]

Diamond Dad wrote: For a hard-thrower who has been on the disabled list each of the last three years with arm problems, I'd be surprised if there are any GMs out there who are going to give him a guaranteed 4-year deal. I'd give him 2 years at $10 million per, with a guarantee for a 3rd year IF he appears in a fixed number of games (say, 55?) so that if he's on the shelf for any significant time, then the guarantee becomes an option. Then a team option for the 4th year with a buy-out.

I agree with the 4 year sentiments.
Thats too many years for a closer his age. He's 34.
As far as the money, I stopped caring about how much they throw around.
Thats their business. Literally.
IMO all high-end ballplayers are overpaid.
It hasnt killed the game.....yet.

I think dads contract above would be a good start.
I dont think Wagner goes for that though. He'll want 3 solid for sure.
Shame, cuz Shea would be a great pitchers park for him.
Maybe get Trevor Hoffman in a similar deal at a cheaper price for 2 years.
I read he was available.
Or BJ Ryan.

Just get us a bonifide closer Omar,.....pppppppplease.

[MFS62]

RMPL
I should have posted this in this thread instead of starting a new one.
Later
*****************************************************************************
Maybe Omar can get Billy Wagner�s soul, and keep him from the Damn Yankees


Whomever Omar wants, Omar gets
And Billy Wags, our man Omar wants you
Make up your mind to have
(Make up you mind to have)
No regrets (no regrets)
Recline yourself
And sign yourself, Orange and Blue

He always gets, who he aims for
And your great left arm
Is what he came for

Whomever Omar wants (Omar wants)
Omar gets (Omar gets)
Take off your coat
You know we need you to win
You're no exception to the rule
Tell your Stringbean agent �Mets rule� .. give in
(Give in, you'll never win)

Whomever Omar wants
Omar wants

---- Instrumental Interlude ----

He always gets, who he aims for
And your great left arm
Is what he came for

Whomever Omar wants (Omar wants)
Omar gets (Omar gets)
Take off your coat
You know we need you to win

You're got those lefty closer tools
That make those hitters look like fools... give in
(Give in, you'll never win)

Give in