Wagner to Philly

Phils fill closer need, give up Duckworth

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Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- All-Star closer Billy Wagner was traded Monday from the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia sent Houston right-hander Brandon Duckworth, and minor league right-handers Taylor Buchholz and Ezequiel Astacio.

Wagner, a three-time All-Star, goes from one of baseball's best bullpens to among its worst.


"He's one of the most dominant closers in baseball," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "He's right up there with Eric Gagne and John Smoltz in that when he comes into the game, it's over."

Wagner was 1-4 with a 1.78 ERA last season and had 44 saves in 47 chances, making a career-high 78 appearances. Philadelphia's bullpen converted just 33 saves in 51 opportunities as Jose Mesa and Mike Williams both faltered.

With eight games left, Philadelphia was a half-game ahead of Florida, which went on to win the wild card and the World Series.

"When we met with our pro scouts and staff in Clearwater three weeks ago, we prioritized our needs and decided that the closer should be at the top of the list," Phillies general manager Ed Wade said. "We then went through the list of available closers and ranked them. Billy Wagner was at the top of our list. Billy represents a huge improvement for the 2004 Phillies."

Wagner, 32, is due to make $8 million next season, the third in a $27 million, three-year contract he agreed to in January 2002. The deal contains a $9 million team option for 2005 with a $3 million buyout.

"I'm excited about coming to Philadelphia because they obviously have made a commitment to winning a championship," Wagner said.

He had criticized Astros owner Drayton McLane for not making a move to get another quality starting pitcher for the 2003 season and expected more of the same for next season.

"It's going to be a tape job," Wagner said after the season finale. "It's not like we're going out there and getting any marquee pitchers."

McLane has said the Astros were losing money this season.

"This is somewhat of a sad experience," he said. "He's one of our own and has developed into one of the premier players in baseball. But you move forward, and you have to constantly renew the team, and this is a step forward. We hate very much to make this decision, but it certainly helps us in giving us flexibility."

Octavio Dotel is likely to assume the closer's job, with Brad Lidge in line to replace Dotel as the setup man. Dotel was acquired in another salary-motivated deal that sent pitcher Mike Hampton to the Mets after the 1999 season.

Dotel was 6-4 with a 2.48 ERA and four saves last season, and has 28 career saves.

"He's got the makeup to be the closer," Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "He's got the physical talent to be the closer and that's something we'll have to decide in spring training."

Duckworth, 27, was 4-7 with a 4.94 ERA in 18 starts and six relief appearances. Buchholz, 22, went 9-11 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) for Double-A Reading of the Eastern League.

Astacio, who turns 24 Tuesday, was 15-5 with a 3.29 ERA at Class-A Clearwater of the Florida State League.

 

OH YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You should be happy. Gammons felt that at the end of the season, Wagner was arguably the best closer in baseball. I still would have taken Gagne, but I've always liked Wagner.

 

He is signed for next year at 8 million and a club option in 05 for 9. Now to get another arm to replace Millwood. Say goodbye to Mike Williams and Jose Mesa :xyzwave:

 

Dangit!! I was hoping the Cubs would pick up Wagner. They definitely need a closer.

 

Actually I was hoping for Keith Foulke but there will be a bidding war for him. Duckworth is a stiff and trading prospects is a crap shoot. That and Phillies farm system is loaded after sucking so long