So it's official, the Mets got their man in Billy Wagner. He agreed to a four year $43M deal and in one fell swoop the Mets have both improved their bullpen and seriously weakened a division rival's. As I wrote last week, the Mets should now be favored to win the NL Wild Card and, quite possibly, the NL East. They still have to add 1-2 middle relievers and a catcher and I expect that GM Omar Minaya won't stop until those issues, and the Soriano/Manny issue, is fully taken care of.
The Phillies are now interested in going after Tom Gordon as Billy Wagner's replacement. As long as they don't overpay, it's not a bad move. Gordon's been a fairly reliable regular season pitcher and he has a lot of experience as a closer, having earned saves for the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Royals and Yankees (in no particular order). Given how the market has become irrational, however, I wouldn't be surprised if Philly throws too much money or too many years at him. Oh well. The Yanks have been prepared for his departure for quite some time so it's no real loss if someone is willing to overpay for his services.
The most interesting development in the closer market is that Cleveland is interested in signing Trevor Hoffman. Such a signing would signify that the Indians are again players in the free agent market after a half-decade hiatus. I am curious to see what kind of package the Tribe put together. What kind of contract are we talking about here? Hoffman wasn't as dominant in 2005 as he had been in years past and might be coming up on the end of a good career. I imagine it'll be an expensive proposition to pry Hoffman from the Padres. Plus, could Hoffman really be induced to leave San Diego? I have no idea if it will happen but I see no reason why it shouldn't happen. Money is money and it spends the same in southern California as it does in northern Ohio. Hoffman would have just as good a chance, if not better, perhaps, at making the post-season in the AL Central as he would in the NL West.
While I generally don't like seeing guys who have made their Hall of Fame careers in one city leave for another, the overall likeability of the Cleveland Indians makes me look the other way here. Plus, "Hells Bells" always seemed a little out of place for San Diego. Cleveland is more of an AC/DC town, if you ask me. If it happens, good for Cleveland.
The Phillies are now interested in going after Tom Gordon as Billy Wagner's replacement. As long as they don't overpay, it's not a bad move. Gordon's been a fairly reliable regular season pitcher and he has a lot of experience as a closer, having earned saves for the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Royals and Yankees (in no particular order). Given how the market has become irrational, however, I wouldn't be surprised if Philly throws too much money or too many years at him. Oh well. The Yanks have been prepared for his departure for quite some time so it's no real loss if someone is willing to overpay for his services.
The most interesting development in the closer market is that Cleveland is interested in signing Trevor Hoffman. Such a signing would signify that the Indians are again players in the free agent market after a half-decade hiatus. I am curious to see what kind of package the Tribe put together. What kind of contract are we talking about here? Hoffman wasn't as dominant in 2005 as he had been in years past and might be coming up on the end of a good career. I imagine it'll be an expensive proposition to pry Hoffman from the Padres. Plus, could Hoffman really be induced to leave San Diego? I have no idea if it will happen but I see no reason why it shouldn't happen. Money is money and it spends the same in southern California as it does in northern Ohio. Hoffman would have just as good a chance, if not better, perhaps, at making the post-season in the AL Central as he would in the NL West.
While I generally don't like seeing guys who have made their Hall of Fame careers in one city leave for another, the overall likeability of the Cleveland Indians makes me look the other way here. Plus, "Hells Bells" always seemed a little out of place for San Diego. Cleveland is more of an AC/DC town, if you ask me. If it happens, good for Cleveland.
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