Good Job, Billy Wagner

There's something about a grown man who calls himself Billy...

But a closer who records 400 career saves can call himself whatever he wants in our book. Billy Wagner earned that right Friday evening after saving the Atlanta Braves' 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. This marks his 15th save of the season, highlighted by a 5-0 record and an impressive 1.19 ERA.

Smokin' Hot Stove: Billy Wagner

The Atlanta Braves made another move toward solidifying their pitching staff this week, signing Billy Wagner to a $7 million, one-year deal. The left-handed closer and six-time All-Star will replace last year’s tag team closing duo, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez.

Wagner, a self-proclaimed life-long Braves fan, went 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA and 22 strikeouts in just 13.2 innings for the Boston Red Sox last year, but missed most of the season after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery late in the 2008 season. He returned to the New York Mets bullpen on August 20, before being traded to the Sox five days later.

His contract includes a $250,000 buyout and 2011 $6.5 million club option, which would become guaranteed if he finishes 50 games next season. This step by the Braves brass follows the Tim Hudson agreement, which not only bulks up the rotation, but pads any trade offers they might come up with toward the end of winter meetings.

[Bleacher Report] | [Diamond Hoggers] | [Fandome]

Another One Bites the Dust for the Mets

It looks like it's going to get much, much worse for the New York Mets before it gets any better.

Adding to their laundry list of injuries this season, Johan Santana will need surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow, putting an end to his fantastic season. This marks player #12 to hit the disabled list for the Mets this season.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner is expected to be ready to pitch again this spring, which is pretty good news considering he still has four seasons left on his gigantic $137.5 million contract. Santana is 13-9 with a nice 3.13 ERA and 146 strikeouts over 25 starts in his second season with the team.

Third Time's Not A Charm

Things were going well for the Metropolitans tonight. Superstar Johan Santana pitched 7 fabulous innings, with zero earned runs -- and left the game with the Mets up over the Diamondbacks 4-0. Scott "Best Name Ever" Schoeneweis even managed to score a hold after some trouble with Joe Smith in the 8th left the score 4-2.

And then came Billy Wagner.


For the third consecutive time in as many tries, Wagner notched yet another blown save... and the Mets lost to the D'backs 5-4 (in 10 innings). Bad things come in threes, I suppose. When reached for comment, the ever-eloquent Wagner said:

”I suck right now.”

Indeed, good sir. Indeed you do.

[Faith & Fear In Flushing] | [Metsgrrl] | [Hot Foot]