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| Height: 5-11
Weight: 201
Throws: L
Bats: L Born: Jul 25, 1971, Tannersville, VA Contract: Signed through 2009, club option for 2010. |
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| Profile | Player News | Articles | Split Stats | Game Log | Player Comparison |
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Player Notes |
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September 12, 2008 The New York Daily News reports that the Mets have informed Billy Wagner that they will not pick up his 2010 option after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Thursday. Our View:Apparently Wagner is only interested in closing when he returns so it's likely the Mets will make a move to replace him this offseason (K-Rod?). The 37-year-old lefty will face plenty of doubts upon his return, but may have another one or two years left in his tank. In 45 games this season, he recorded 27 saves with a 2.30 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. |
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September 12, 2008 Billy Wagner underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery, according to the NY Daily News. The operation was performed by team doctors David Altchek and Struan Coleman. Our View:Wagner faces a 12-month recovery time. While not completely ruling out a return in September 2009, Wagner appears to be targeting the 2010 campaign. It remains to be seen if the club will target a top free agent closer in the off-season, such as Francisco Rodriguez of the Angels. |
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September 11, 2008 The Mets insurance policy on Billy Wagner will not be activated this off-season despite the fact that he will likely miss most of the season because of his injured elbow, according to the New York Times. Our View:Two things come out of this. First, Wagner will be eligible to pitch next season (if the Mets had claimed the policy, he couldn't have pitched next season). Second, this could signal that the Mets won't go after Francisco Rodriguez since they will have so much money invested in Wagner. Stay tuned. |
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September 9, 2008 The early reports on Mets' closer Billy Wagner's career being over were false. In a press conference today Wagner vowed to pitch again and help a team win a championship. The press conference ended with the 37-year old closer walking out after tearing up when a reporter asked how his 10-year old son took the news, according to according to Newsday.com. Our View:With Wagner done for at least a year, watch and see if the Mets will go after pending free agent Francisco Rodriguez. |
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September 8, 2008 Updating a previous report, Billy Wagner is going to undergo Tommy John surgery, which could force him to miss the 2009 campaign, according to the Star-Ledger. Our View:Even with Wagner still intact, members within the organization were pushing to target impending free agent Francisco Rodriguez. Now those calls will likely intensify with Wagner potentially lost for 2009. |
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September 8, 2008 Manager Jerry Manuel reiterated on Sunday that Billy Wagner is likely shut down for the remainder of the season, according to the NY Daily News. Wagner suffered elbow discomfort during a simulated game Sunday. Our View:The team won't officially know his status until he consults with team doctors today, but it does not look hopeful that fantasy owners will get him back. |
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September 7, 2008 Fantasy owners expecting to get Mets closer Billy Wagner back for the stretch run may have to come up with a new plan. The lefty experienced further elbow discomfort after throwing to just a single batter in his simulated game on Sunday, according to the N.Y. Post. Our View:This is bad news for a shaky Mets bullpen, and bad news for fantasy owners hoping to accumulate some more saves from Wagner. |
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September 7, 2008 Wagner, recovering from a strained forearm, could return as early as Tuesday but will likely need at least one appearance before he is reinstated as the Mets' closer, according to Newsday. Our View:With each save so valuable in most fantasy leagues, you will likely still want to activate him this week. |
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September 6, 2008 Billy Wagner, who is recovering from a strained left forearm, threw a favorable bullpen session Friday and is close to returning to the Mets' bullpen, according to the NY Daily News. He said, "We'll see how the elbow comes back today and really go from there. We've made a lot of progress in the last week and a half. A couple of bullpens, throwing everyday, it seems like it got a lot better." Our View:He hopes he will be ready to return for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, but might need more time to be on the safe side. Manager Jerry Manuel is yet to decide if Wagner will resume his closer's role right away upon his return. |
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September 4, 2008 Mets closer Billy Wagner threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and he will throw a few more times before being activated from the DL on Tuesday, according to the New York Daily News. Our View:The Mets bullpen has really struggled in his absence, so the team will be happy to have him back, as will fantasy owners who were enjoying his 27 save, 0.89 WHIP season. |
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September 2, 2008 Billy Wagner, who is recovering from a strained left forearm, threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, according to the NY Daily News. Our View:The team believes he has a good chance to appear in a rehab game with Single-A Brooklyn before their minor league season ends Sunday. He could be back with the Mets for the closing weeks of the regular season, and should remain stashed on fantasy rosters. |
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August 30, 2008 With only a month left to play it hardly seems likely that the Mets will fall from playoff contention -- like last year -- but if so, closer Billy Wagner's health appears so questionable that he likely won't make another appearance without a playoff berth at stake, according to MLBNewsOnline.com. Our View:While the Mets watch as deadlines have lapsed for his anticipated return, Wagner is playing catch in addition to other rehabilitation exercises to reduce discomfort and swelling in the elbow of his throwing arm. The objective is to build up healthy tissue to, in effect, replace strength lost because of permanently ruptured or frayed strands of tendon. Wagner -- with another year remaining on his $43 million contract -- remains invaluable to the Mets' divisional race. He was among the league leaders with 27 saves when he went down, though he has blown seven. Expect him to make every effort to return by the end of September as long as there's a point to it. |
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August 28, 2008 Billy Wagner's ailing left elbow is improving, according to the NY Post. He is back playing catch at Shea Stadium. GM Omar Minaya said Wagner could be re-examined next week to see if he can start throwing off the mound again or if more rest is needed. Wagner has been on the DL since August 3 with elbow swelling and a strained left forearm. Our View:For now, Jerry Manuel is sticking with former Nationals' righty Luis Ayala as the closer. |
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August 27, 2008 Mets closer Billy Wagner is still considered week-to-week. According to the New York Daily News, Wagner threw from 60-feet today but has yet to get back onto the mound. Our View:With Wagner out the Mets bullpen has struggled trying to save games. |
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August 21, 2008 The Mets estimate that Billy Wagner may return to the Mets in about three weeks, according to the NY Daily News. Our View:The team added Al Reyes for insurance, but it appears that Wagner could return to the Mets in September. |
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August 20, 2008 The possibility remains that Mets closer Billy Wagner will miss the rest of the season, according to ESPN.com. Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, said that it will be at least three weeks before he returns. Our View:Tough luck for fantasy owners counting on Wagner's saves down the stretch. The newly signed Al Reyes could get some looks in the ninth inning in the meantime. |
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August 19, 2008 Billy Wagner's latest MRI showed more swelling in his left elbow, and he remains out indefinitely. The closer tells the New York Post that he does intend to pitch again this season. "They told me that I'd take some time, let the inflammation get out of the elbow, and when it starts feeling better, to start doing more baseball-type activities," Wagner says. "Right now, I'm going to take some time. I can do some light throwing, continue to rehab and see how it progresses." Our View:The Mets will need to continue using Aaron Heilman (and friends), and it sounds like they have no intention of rushing Wagner. Fantasy owners are in a tough spot, as there are only five weeks to go and we don't know when Billy will be back. |
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August 19, 2008 Billy Wagner will have his left elbow examined today, according to the New York Daily News. He is suffering from elbow stiffness and remains on the disabled list. Our View:Wagner was eligible to come off the DL Monday, but is still having some problems. There is no word on when fantasy owners can expect one of their top-notch closers back. |
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August 16, 2008 Mets closer Billy Wagner will likely not be ready to come off the disabled list on Monday, according to the New York Daily News. His elbow stiffened Friday after throwing on Thursday. Our View:Wagner threw a simulated game today, though it was just 15 pitches. He says he has no problems with his velocity, but he is still lacking his desired movement. There was no immediate word on how much longer Wagner will continue to be out. |
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August 16, 2008 Billy Wagner threw 15 pitches in a simulated game in Pittsburgh today, and everything went smoothly, according to the New York Post. Our View:Wagner will probably come off the DL on Monday, barring any setbacks. |
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August 15, 2008 Billy Wagner will join the Mets in Pittsburgh on Saturday to throw a simulated game before coming off the DL on Monday, according to MetsBlog.com. He tossed a scoreless inning Thursday in his first and only rehab appearance for a strained left forearm. Our View:Wagner will be re-inserted into the closer role immediately upon return. |
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August 13, 2008 Mets closer Billy Wagner is starting his rehab assignment with 20 pitches tomorrow for New York's Double-A affiliate in Binghamton, according to MetsBlog.com. Our View:Wagner will throw a couple times and then will be activated on Monday and put back in as the team's closer. |
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August 10, 2008 Billy Wagner will begin throwing next weekend in Class A as he rehabs his forearm strain, according to the AP. Our View:Wagner is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, August 18, at which time he will resume his duties as the Mets closer. |
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August 9, 2008 Ailing Mets closer Billy Wagner , working his way back from a strained left forearm, played catch before the game, according to ESPN.com. Our View:The Mets placed Wagner on the 15-day DL on August 5th due to a left forearm strain. While out, Aaron Heilman is getting work in the 9th. However, today indicates Wagner is doing well and is set to return on schedule. |
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August 5, 2008 The Mets have officially placed closer Billy Wagner on the 15-day DL due to a strained left forearm, MLB.com confirms. Our View:Aaron Heilman is expected to see ninth inning work over the next two weeks, and the right-hander gains some short-term value. Wagner is not expected to need more than the required 15 days. |
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August 5, 2008 The Mets are planning on placing Billy Wagner on the DL, after a MRI revealed a strained left forearm, according to the New York Daily News. Our View:Although headed to the DL, the Mets were relieved it was a forearm injury, instead of an elbow injury. |
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August 3, 2008 The Mets have announced LHP Billy Wagner will be unavailble for today’s game as he has been sent back to New York to be examined for a stiff forearm, likely to undergo an MRI exam later today, according to MetsBlog.com. Our View:Jerry Manuel said the recently called up Eddie Kunz may be the team’s closer for today’s game but failed to address Wagner's arm in detail. We'll keep you posted as we get updates. |
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July 25, 2008 Billy Wagner is back in action but commented that he is unsure if his shoulder problem is gone for the season, according to the NY Post. He said, "I don't know (if the shoulder issue will be gone for the season). I think it's something that you just come out and hope that you get through that day and you don't have to worry about it." Our View:Wagner has hurled seven straight scoreless innings, with only one hit allowed over the span. Fantasy owners should continue to employ him, and hope he stays intact for the rest of the season. |
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July 24, 2008 Billy Wagner notched his second save in as many nights on Thursday. He needed just eight pitches for three outs. Our View:Apparently the shoulder woes are over with. Wagner has not allowed a run in seven consecutive appearances and his ERA is back down to 2.09. |
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July 23, 2008 Billy Wagner was indeed healthy enough to pitch on Wednesday and he did so to the tune of producing his 25th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning against the Phillies. Our View:Smooth sailing for Wagner who looked good despite concerns about his shoulder. He didn't strike out a batter on the night, but he still got the job done. |
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July 23, 2008 Billy Wagner has declared himself ready to go after dealing with a sore shoulder the past few days, according to MLB.com. "I'm going tonight," Wagner said. Our View:Wagner has been dissed a bit this season, but the numbers suggest there is little support for having a negative opinion of Wagner given his 2.20 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 10.54 K/9 mark. |
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July 22, 2008 According to the NY Daily News, Billy Wagner said he felt all right and sounded as if he would be able to pitch if needed. When Manuel was asked how it looked for Wagner tonight, he held up a hand and made the “so-so” sign. He is having muscle spasms around the joint in his shoulder. Our View:With a big series against the Phillies on hand, Wagner will likely push himself to pitch. Hopefully, he won't be needed for a couple of nights. |
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July 22, 2008 Billy Wagner has tightness around his left shoulder, which an MRI exam Tuesday revealed was a muscle spasm around his pitching arm, according to the AP. Our View:Team spokesman Jay Horwitz said Wagner was examined at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Wagner is considered day-to-day. |
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July 21, 2008 Billy Wagner will be re-examined on Tuesday and may undergo an MRI if necessary, MLB.com reports. The closer experienced some tightness in his left shoulder on Sunday. Wagner says his trapezius muscle has bothered him for a couple weeks. Our View:We can only sit back and hope for the best. Wagner did feel better after pitching on Sunday, which is good news. |
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July 21, 2008 Billy Wagner is no longer scheduled for an MRI Monday on his sore shoulder, according to Newsday. Our View:Wagner had difficulty getting loose Sunday, but felt better after the game. Hopefully Wagner, who has nailed down 24 saves so far, won't have this problem pop up again this season. |
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July 20, 2008 The Mets report closer Billy Wagner will undergo medical examination on Monday after experiencing cramping and mild tightness in his left shoulder, according to the New York Daily News. Our View:Wagner warns this is a precautionary measure, but we've heard similar statements before and seen troublesome results. We will update the findings as we get them in our hands. |
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July 11, 2008 Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth against Colorado for his 21st save in 27 chances. Our View:He whiffed two of three while working past the unimposing trio of Scott Podsednik, Wily Taveras, and Clint Barmes. |
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July 7, 2008 It wasn't pretty but the Mets' closer, Billy Wagner, saved his 20th game of the season in a 10-9 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. Our View:Wagner allowed two runs on two hits, walked one and struck out one in what was an exciting finish after the Mets led 10-1 heading into the six inning. |
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July 7, 2008 Billy Wagner commented on his blown save against the Phillies on Sunday, according to MetsBlog.com. Wagner gave up a two-run shot to Jayson Werth in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Mets came back to win the game in the 12th. Wagner commented, "That’s going to happen. I’d like to have bounced that slider, but I hung it and Jayson hit it. But, we came back and won it, the guys did great, they picked me up and we won and that’s fantastic." Our View:Those two runs allowed snapped a seven-inning scoreless streak for him, and was his first blown save since June 12. |
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July 6, 2008 Billy Wagner blew his sixth save of the season on Sunday. He gave up a two-run shot to Jayson Werth in the bottom of the ninth. The Mets won the game in the 12th. Our View:This was his first blown save since June 12. He gave up three hits and recorded one strikeout in the game. |
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July 1, 2008 Veteran reliever Billy Wagner pulled his 19th save of the season this evening, closing the 7-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Wagner closed the 9th inning with 13 pitches (eight for strikes), striking out two and getting the additional out via fly ball. Our View:Wagner has been a rock of late, touting seven saves through 10 total inningsn June. He hasn't surrendered a run since June 12th. |
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June 22, 2008 Billy Wagner picked up his 17th save of the year in 22 chances as he held the Rockies to no hits in his lone inning of work on Sunday. Our View:Despite a run of extreme ineffectiveness, Wagner's overall ratios are still sparkling with a 2.03 ERA and 0.94 WHIP as he continues to be one of the best relievers in baseball despite his advancing age. |
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June 22, 2008 Taking the reins of a team best described as a mess has put manager Jerry Manuel on a mission for organization, and he's started that effort with the Mets bullpen, according to TheRopolitans.com. Our View:Manuel has defined the roles of several bullpen members, naming Bill Wagner as the team's closer, Duaner Sanchez as the Mets' setup man (to pitch in the 8th inning), and tabbing Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano as the team's lefty and righty specialists (respectively). Manuel has also castigated Aaron Heilman and will not allow the pitcher to enter "as many pressure situations." |
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June 12, 2008 Billy Wagner blew his third straight save on Thursday by allowing two runs wasting a tremendous effort by Johan Santana. Wagner's effort resulted in his ERA being pushed to 2.33 after it was at 0.36 just a week ago. The Mets went on to lose in 10 innings to the D'backs, 5-4. Our View:Ugly. The Mets really don't have any other viable option to turn to, plus, it doesn't make any sense to freak out over 2.1 IP, but the situation certainly bears watching as the Mets simply cannot continue to give away games if they want to make the playoffs this year. |
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June 11, 2008 Billy Wagner picked up his fourth blown save as he allowed a 3-run home run to Mark Reynolds on Wednesday night. Our View:Luckily the Mets came back and won this game. Wagner, who has been automatic all year, has looked awful in allowing four runs while picking up two blown saves and a loss in his last two appearances. Continue to roll with him as this is likely just one of those dry spells that effect all closers from time to time. |
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June 4, 2008 Billy Wagner allowed a ninth inning hit on Wednesday but he secured John Maine's sixth win of the season with his 13th save. Our View:At 37 years old Wagner continues to get it done. His ERA is now 0.36 and his 0.76 WHIP are -- wow. The southpaw has struck out 28 in 25 innings and walked only four in 23 appearances. |
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May 13, 2008 Billy Wagner extended his run of scoreless innings to 15.2 on Tuesday as he picked up his eighth save against the Nationals. Our View:Wagner has 18 K and just three walks on the year, and he has been as dominating as he pretty much always has been. Wagner has been overlooked the past few years because he hasn't produced any huge save seasons, but few are more consistent. |
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May 10, 2008 The situation was not set for a save, but if it had been, Mets closer Billy Wagner might have suffered his first blown opportunity of the season. Through 12 outings this season, Wagner had allowed just one run (unearned, of course) to be scored. Today, in the second game of the double-header with the Reds, Wagner surrendered three runs, all unearned, on two hits over 2/3 of an inning. Our View:Wagner had failed to surrender a single hit in his first nine outings of the season. Over his last four, he has allowed five hits with four runs scored. |
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April 30, 2008 Billy Wagner called out Oliver Perez after his terrible outing on Wednesday, according to the NY Daily News. “You’ve got to have that willpower and that desire to go back out there and fight,” Wagner said. Perez has honestly got to step up and know that we’ve just used every guy in our bullpen the night before. He can’t come out there and decide that gee, he hasn’t got it today, and so be it.” Our View:It's about time that someone took a stand with Perez. Oliver possesses tremendous stuff, no one doubts that, but his bugaboo has long been his inability to consistently perform at a high level. We will be very interested to see how Perez performs next time out after Wagner challenged him today. |
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April 28, 2008 Billy Wagner hasn't had many save opportunities this April, but when he's been asked to pitch, he's been good. The Mets ninth inning option has appeared in 10 games this year recording 10 strikeouts while walking two. Our View:Wagner surrendered his first hit of the season on Sunday, a harmless single to Matt Diaz, eventually closing the game for his sixth save. |
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April 20, 2008 Closer Billy Wagner pitched four straight days for the Mets, according to NY Daily News. That matches his career high, and he notably racked up three saves over the stretch. He commented, "It's feast and famine, but you have to prepare yourself to know what you've got, and really stay mentally prepared as much as possible." Our View:He should be fine, and he is impressively yet to allow a hit over seven innings of work, with six strikeouts and one walk. |
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March 5, 2008 Billy Wagner had the cyst on his neck removed on Wednesday and reported no ill effects, this according to MLB.com. "It didn't bother me when it was there. It didn't bother me when they cut it out," Wagner said. "But now [hours after the procedure], it feels like they took out an organ. I can pitch. But if I stink, I've got the built-in excuse." Wagner should be fine and post his usual 35 saves this season for the Mets. |
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February 18, 2008 Billy Wagner would like to see his workload decrease slightly this year according to a report in Newsday. "There's no doubt, the older you get, the more you have to take care of yourself," Wagner said. "You can't go out there and throw meaningless innings. You have to be used in your element, in your role, and not abused." Wagner, who will be 37 in July, appeared 66 times last season covering 68.1 innings while he picked up 39 save chances, though he also pitched in 13 games in which the Mets were ahead by four or more runs. There is no reason to think that Wagner will lose his effectiveness, he did save 34 games last year, the sixth time in seven years he had that many, but perhaps a bit more judicious use of his left arm would lead to slightly better results (his 2.63 ERA was his highest mark since 2001). |