Daily Archives: August 21, 2009
Last night, Billy Wagner threw 14 pitches, nine for strikes, and set down the middle of the Braves lineup in order, while hitting 95 mph on the radar gun.
Following the game, Wagner told reporters:
“To know that I was pretty much written off, that I wasn’t going to be able to make it back, and to be
able to get back quick, it was very enjoyable… I didn’t want to go out there and be wild. Once I got the first out that was a big relief.”
…i was out in center field, so i could not see who was warming up… but, i knew wagner would get in the game eventually… i got chills when the beginning of Enter Sandman started to blare through the ballpark… it was bittersweet, reminding me of better days at Shea Stadium… the best part, though, is that they played it again when he walked off the field, knowing it could be the final time we see him in a Mets uniform…
…the buzz around Citi Field suggests it will be just a matter of time before wagner is traded… and good for him… last year at this time he was in tears, embarrassed, and worried he might never throw another pitch again…
…he’s worked hard to get back, he’s clearly healthy and i hope he can go someplace to get a ring… in fact, wherever he ends up is probably the team i will end up pulling for in the post season…
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com believes the Rays and Marlins have interest in acquiring Wagner. However, he says, if the Mets want to get a decent prospect in return, they will likely need to pay most of the $3.5 million left on his contract.
…i have no idea what to expect from the Mets, and especially Omar Minaya, when it comes to making this sort of deal… i mean, when was the last time the Mets had a quality veteran to trade… seriously, when was the last time they were in this situation… usually, they just wait it out and let people leave as a free agent…
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According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Gary Sheffield became ‘verbally abusive yesterday,’ then demanded he be released or traded to the Marlins, ‘then threatened to return home to Florida.’
Instead, Sheffield pulled himself out of yesterday’s starting lineup, telling Jerry Manuel he needed a day to ‘clear his thoughts.’
…i was at Citi Field for much of yesterday afternoon, and the buzz from the team had been sheffield was released… but, i guess this turned out to not be the case… at least for now…
According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Giants claimed Sheffield off waivers, but the Mets pulled him back, meaning he is no longer able to be traded.
…from what i understand, the Mets requested an upper-level prospect for sheffield, because, from their point of view, there are still tickets to sell and games to win, and they’d just as soon keep gary and have at least one legit bat in their lineup, while trying to put an entertaining product on the field, as opposed to trading him for some going-no-place minor leaguer…
…so, in short, the way i interpret all of this is as follows:
Gary Sheffield signed with the Mets. He was a model citizen, altering his reputation a bit as being a leader, and a positive veteran presence. The Mets had the opportunity to trade him, and send him to a contender, where he could help a team get to the post season. Instead, the Mets are forcing him to ride out the season in oblivion, while losing at bats to Cory Sullivan and Angel Pagan, hurting his chances to sign a contract in 2010. So, to force the team’s hands in releasing him, allowing him to sign elsewhere and salvage his season, he requested a contract extension, which, of course, the Mets will not give to him. And here we are, Sheffield hoping he gets released, making a scene, and begging out of the lineup to ‘clear his thoughts,’ while the Mets weigh their options.
…i guess this was all just a matter of time… i understand he wanted an extension… i don’t blame him… but, come on, man, be a professional, go to work and zip it… he’s making $14 million from the Tigers this season, he can still hit, and he’ll be fine next season… instead, he’s got to make a scene, and here we go again with yet another off-field soap opera… thanks…
For more, including Sheffield’s words to reporters prior to yesterday’s game, check out the Daily News and Newsday.
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