Still Wish Mets Had Billy Wagner?
By Howard Megdal ~ October 13th, 2009. Filed under: Howard Megdal.
Well, we’re beginning to see how the Billy Wagner Saga is playing out. Less than two months after the Mets traded Wagner to the Boston Red Sox, Wagner is now talking about retiring.
“Why wouldn’t I? I’ve got nothing else to (accomplish),” Wagner told the New York Post.
Of course, it is Billy Wagner’s prerogative to change his mind- and he often does. Witness his statements that he likely wouldn’t approve a trade to Boston, followed by a last-minute change of mind.
But it is that very uncertainty that made the Mets’ trade of Wagner such a good idea. In addition to the non-trivial chance Wagner could have re-injured himself, the Mets were able to deal him for a pair of players, Chris Carter and Eddie Lora, and save roughly $3.5 million in the process.
Carter alone is someone who could help the Mets in 2010. If he’s able to play left field or first base, and hit, he addresses either of a pair of needs. If he manages simply to become a valuable bench hitter, well, Ted Berg detailed in a recent column that even this would provide an upgrade over recent Mets teams. And should he merely be Triple-A filler, considering the team called up Emil Brown in 2009, this is also an area in need of Chris Carter.
That doesn’t even address what the Mets can do to improve the team with $3.5 million.
Again, so many times the Mets seem to hope for the best without expecting the worst. By planning effectively, taking the safe way more of the time, teams become less reliant on breaks going their way relative to the overall strategy. The Mets were wise to do this with Billy Wagner, an emotional wild card. The upside of the trade is still to come, but the Mets have already won.
