Billy Wagner May Retire

by Randy Booth on Oct 13, 2009 12:37 PM EDT in News

It looks like Red Sox setup man (and now free agent) Billy Wagner may retire instead of pursuing another year in the big leagues:

"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]."

This is surprising in my opinion. He showed in his time with the Red Sox that he can still pitch and he could probably make a good payday out of it. There will be a few teams that would love to take him on and give him the closer's role. This could be a lot like Trevor Hoffman last year, who spent the majority of his 16-year career with San Diego, but then jumped ship to Milwaukee when the Padres thought he was too old and ineffective. The result was one of his best seasons of his career.

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I hope he reconsiders

I do love me some draft picks

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Oct 13, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

"I don't plan on talking to nobody,"

That means he will be talking to someone as one negative negates the other! Smart devious guy, no doubt.

by NG on Oct 13, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Hahahaha

Fantastic observation, most would read past that

by qthaballa on Oct 13, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Dammit

I want my picks!

by Ben Buchanan on Oct 13, 2009 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

So...

Is this a ploy to have a better chance to sign elsewhere? I don’t have the slightest idea of the process of arbitration and whatnot, but could he retire, bypassing us offering arbitration and then come back in say April and sign elsewhere without us getting compensated? Or do you still offer it to players who are planning on retiring anyway? Someone know how this works?

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Oct 13, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

He can't dodge type-A status unless he waits till after the draft to sign.

by Ben Buchanan on Oct 13, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Which is a possibility if he finds a tough market.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Oct 13, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he's still got a lot left in him.

He’s still a top-tier closer and could get a sweet deal somewhere IMHO (maybe the Rockies would be interested lol)

It’s still me by the way (Brad West), just changed my name on here.

by Bdub- on Oct 13, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

But teams have become very protective of their draft picks, so if he ends up being type A, he might not get the deal he was hoping for.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Oct 13, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

He'll sign somewhere

Someone will offer him a contract to be their closer and he’ll sign.

by RSNexile on Oct 13, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds like a brush-off to me.

Sounds like he just doesn’t feel like answering the question. He’ll pitch. He was very effective and should be 100% by spring training.

“I’ve got nothing else to [accomplish].”

Well…’cept for that World Series thing everyone is always going on about…

Goddamn that DeMarlo Hale.

by Bloggy on Oct 13, 2009 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

AFL started today

and Damn that boy from Cuba looks good (the game is going as we speak), After 3 innings:
He fielded the only ball coming his way
Hit a line drive for an out in his first AB
Hit an RBI double in his second AB
Keep it up Jose!

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Oct 13, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

I'm urning this into Jose Iglesias thread :)

His 3rd AB: after 2 pitches for strikes he hits a line drive for an RBI single!
Me Likes that.

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Oct 13, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

*turning not urning

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Oct 13, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope we get him to come back.

VARITEK MUST GO
Brandon Webb in 2010

by gizmosandy on Oct 13, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Wagner really needs to get a new agent

Rotoworld: "Billy Wagner’s agent, Bean Stringfellow, doesn’t believe his client was sincere when speaking about his plans to retire Monday. “Those comments probably came right after the Red Sox lost, so I’d bet they were said in the heat of the moment, when he was very frustrated,” the agent said Tuesday."

Not only is the agent throwing his client under the bus (in the selfish hope of another contract), but I’m pretty sure he’s imaginary too. Bean Stringfellow… BEAN STRINGFELLOW???!!!! What kind of a sick parent names their child Bean when he’s already stuck with a dreadful surname? A stringbean, that’s who!

Mr. Stringfellow better watch out, because some impoverished kid is one day going to think he’s magic, throw him into the ground and climb up into the sky.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Oct 13, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions