The 38-year-old Wagner will be Atlanta’s closer for the 2010 baseball season. Last year, he played 17 games with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. He finished with an ERA of 1.72 and in 15.2 innings of work he gave up only eight hits wile striking out 26 batters.

For the 2009 baseball season, the Braves used Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez at closer. With both currently free agents, the move to sign Wagner means that both players will likely sign elsewhere.

This move comes with a bit of risk since Wagner had Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2008 season. If he reinjures his elbow, the Braves will be in a world of hurt.

According to multiple reports, the Braves hold a $6.5 million option for the 2011 season. Wagner will be owed $250,000 if the Braves decline the option.

Billy Wagner will be the Atlanta Braves closer (Image: Zuma Press)

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Since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, Wagner just recently returned to the pitching mound. In his first appearance, which came on Thursday, Wagner struck out two hitters in a hitless one inning of work.

The 38-year-old Wagner has had a very good career. In his career that began in the 1995 season, Wagner has a total of 385 saves and an ERA of 2.40. Arguably his best season was his final season with the Houston Astros in 2003 when he amassed 44 saves and a 1.78 ERA.

With the Red Sox, he would likely have to prove with his pitching were he belongs in the bullpen. He won’t be the closer but there’s a chance he could win the setup role.

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The initial offer by the Mets was believed to be for two years. However, the Mets decided to up the deal to three years. The deal with Rodriguez is believed to be worth approximately $37 million.

Rodriguez will step right into the closer role for the Mets. He’ll replace Billy Wagner, who was lost to a long-term injury last season.

Although Rodriguez was obviously a wanted man following his record breaking season, some teams were scared off by the fact that his velocity was lower last year than in previous seasons. His strikeouts per inning were down and his walks remained about the same. In fact, in each of his previous five seasons, Rodriguez had struck out more batters.

But the Mets are willing to roll the dice with Rodriguez and hope that he can make up for any lost velocity. Time will tell whether or not this was $37 million well spent.

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Francisco Rodriguez had a completely opposite season. With the Los Angeles Angels, Rodriguez had a Major League Baseball record of 62 saves — breaking the record formerly held by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox.

It’s no wonder that one of the first things the Mets did in the winter meetings was to offer Rodriguez a contract. The contract, which is believed to be worth around $25 million over two years, would make Rodriguez one of the highest paid closers in the game and would give the Mets a closer to build their bullpen around.

Although it was a pricey offer, the rumblings in the winter meetings indicate that Rodriguez wants a three-year contract at the very least. Expect him to get at least $40 million from the team that eventually wins his services. Will it be the Mets? They’d need to offer more but with their glaring need, they just might.

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The 37-year-old Wagner was have a never good season for the Mets. He had 27 saves to go along with a 2.30 ERA. With New York desperately trying to make the playoffs, that task got a whole lot more difficult with Wagner out of the picture.

Wager will require Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow. While he should eventually heal, Wagner has indicated that he doesn’t want to pitch after his current contract expires. By the time he’s ready, Wagner’s contract will have likely run out.

Here is a Billy Wagner video further examining his pending surgery:

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Wagner has seen his name in lights a lot this season. First he got into a little bit of trouble for calling Oliver Perez a “wall”. He then got upset with teammates for not talking to the media enough.

On the field, Wagner has been very good. He represented the National League in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game and currently has a 2.20 ERA to go along with 23 saves. The 37-year-old reliever is still going strong.

If Wagner misses any games, expect Duaner Sanchez to close games for the Mets.

What will Billy Wagner say next?

Photo: Newscom

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The good news for the Mets is that Perez should be quite easy to trade. Despite his struggles this season, he’s only 26-years-old and he has a reasonable contract. Last year he was 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA.

A team that is willing to trade for Perez will have to overlook his current stats. With a 5-5 record and a 5.29 ERA, Perez isn’t exactly helping the volatile situation in New York.

The Mets have had to deal with Willie Randolph getting fired and numerous other incidents, such as Billy Wagner calling out Oliver Perez earlier in the season. During that drama, Wagner called Oliver Perez a “wall”.

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While Wagner didn’t name any names, he reportedly pointed in the direction where the lockers of Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo are located. Although those players all are Hispanic, Wagner denied his criticism being directed toward any one race.

Apparently, Wagner wants everyone to talk to the media like he does. After Wagner’s comments about Perez, Mets manager Willie Randolph told Wagner to stop criticizing teammates through the media. Obviously, Wagner didn’t listen.

Perhaps now Wagner will criticize himself through the media. It’d only be fair.

Billy Wagner Talking to the Media, Per Usual.

Photo: Newscom

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A reported then asked Wagner if talking to Perez was like talking to a wall. Wagner’s response? “Pretty much.”

On the season, Perez is 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA. Wagner hasn’t yet allowed an earned run on the season. He has 12 strikeouts in 12 innings, to go along with six saves.

Mets’ manager Willie Randolph reportedly told Wagner he should have handled the situation in-house.

“I wouldn’t go that route, but that’s Billy,” Randolph said. “Billy gets a little emotional at times. If he feels that way, it’s fine. Billy doesn’t speak for the team. That’s just him. That’s just his opinion.”

Photo: Newscom

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