Just heard Billy Wagner was dealt to the Phils for Duckworth. Good news because Wagner stays in the NL and the rumors of Flash going to Philadelphia, PA may be over.

Just heard Billy Wagner was dealt to the Phils for Duckworth. Good news because Wagner stays in the NL and the rumors of Flash going to Philadelphia, PA may be over.

Good news indeed. It also gives the Stros another young starter to go after the Cubs with. Might also open up payroll room for Andy Pettite!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1652893

 

Link

Unless the 'Stros get Gavin Floyd or Cole Hamels as the PTBNL, they're f***ing morons for doing this.

Unless the 'Stros get Gavin Floyd or Cole Hamels as the PTBNL, they're f***ing morons for doing this.

They wanted to cut payroll, plus they have Dotel and Lidge at the back of the pen who are both capable replacements. I think it was simply a salary dump.

Unless the 'Stros get Gavin Floyd or Cole Hamels as the PTBNL, they're f***ing morons for doing this.

It was a payroll deal. It shows that not many teams are willing to take on a stud pitcher with a high payroll.

 

In regards to Wagner, I wouldn't touch him if I were a smaller payroll team. 10 mill for an injury prone closer, I'll pass.

 

They could of at least got a decent prospect though. I like Duckworth, but he seems like he'll be at best a 4th.

Unless the 'Stros get Gavin Floyd or Cole Hamels as the PTBNL, they're f***ing morons for doing this.

they got Taylor Buchholz and Ezequiel Astacio, so i dont know how good those prospects are

they got  Taylor Buchholz and Ezequiel Astacio, so i dont know how good those prospects are

Buchholz is rated Philly's 4th best prospect, ahead of Cole Hamels, according to Baseball America.

 

He's 22, a right handed pitcher and is projected to be a No.2 starter in the bigs.

 

Astacio isn't ranked in their top 30, as he is most likely a throw-in to the deal.

I think they have Petitte on their minds for sure. They are poised to go and get someone this offseason.

Personally, I like this move for the Astors. They get a pretty good young pitcher in Duckworth and a very good prospect in Buchholz. Wagner is a great closer, but Houston badly needed to cut payroll and this will allow them to be a player in the free agent market. Plus, they do have Dotel and Lidge so it is not like their bullpen will be awful.

This is where I see Gordon going:

1). Devil Rays

2). Flubs :fthecubs

3). White Sox

This is where I see Gordon going:

    1). Devil Rays

    2). Flubs  :fthecubs

    3). White Sox 

I don't think Flash will be heading to the Cubs, they already have 2 decent closer types in Farnesworth and Borowski. THey won't be willing to sign Gordon for the money he wants to be a middle relief, set-up guy.

I read somewhere that the Sox aren't too high on his list because he wants Koch to get a shot at his job again.

Flash won't go to the Cubs. It is funny how they traded him last season, I think the Cubs will get a better closer too. Borowski and Farnsworth aren't closers.

Flash won't go to the Cubs. It is funny how they traded him last season, I think the Cubs will get a better closer too. Borowski and Farnsworth aren't closers.

Agreed..Borowski and Farnsworth are not closers. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a Foulke, or an Urbina on that team though. I thought I read Gordon said he would love to return to the Cubs though.

Agreed..Borowski and Farnsworth are not closers. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a Foulke, or an Urbina on that team though. I thought I read Gordon said he would love to return to the Cubs though.

I hadn't seen anything with him concerning the Cubs, but I would imagine he would think something after they brought six fingers in to be the closer two seasons ago.

Borowski and Farnesworth aren't closers? What makes a closer then, I never really understood that. Sure Farnesworth hasn't had a chance to close but I think he could do very well there, plus he has that "intimidation" factor of a closer whatever that means. And lets not forget that Borowski was a closer this year, and did quite a good job in that role.

Well Marte closed some this past year and it doesn't make him a closer. I'm saying the Flubs would love to have a guy who is proven and which the closer role is the guys expertise. Borowski can fail at any point in that role next year. How many leagues and teams has he been on?

Borowski and Farnesworth aren't closers?  What makes a closer then, I never really understood that.  Sure Farnesworth hasn't had a chance to close but I think he could do very well there, plus he has that "intimidation" factor of a closer whatever that means.  And lets not forget that Borowski was a closer this year, and did quite a good job in that role.

I don't think he will waste pitches. Also, does Farnsworth have the mindset to blow a save, and come back the next day. I think closers are the most overrated position. It was evident that their bullpen was a weakness. The only Cubs game I have been to in years, Barowski got rocked and lost the game. I think he is better suited as a middle reliever or set-up man.

I'm now reading that Astacio is a top 15 prospect from the Phils, so this could be even sweeter for the Astros. Only time will tell...

I don't think he will waste pitches. Also, does Farnsworth have the mindset to blow a save, and come back the next day. I think closers are the most overrated position. It was evident that their bullpen was a weakness. The only Cubs game I have been to in years, Barowski got rocked and lost the game. I think he is better suited as a middle reliever or set-up man.

Definitely agree on closers being overrated, just put in the guy that can get the outs in the situation at hand. Media has blown it totally out of proportion.

Definitely agree on closers being overrated, just put in the guy that can get the outs in the situation at hand.  Media has blown it totally out of proportion.

That is why I like Dam not closing. He can come in during teh 7th and 8th when we are in trouble.

That is why I like Dam not closing. He can come in during teh 7th and 8th when we are in trouble.

I agree, when Gordon was pitching well we had a lethal combination going with Dam and Flash.

That is why I like Dam not closing. He can come in during teh 7th and 8th when we are in trouble.

Which always has been and always will be why I'm a fan of closer-by-committee. However, the way I look at it, I'm not sure I'd call it closer-by-committee. More like "closer can come in whenever you need him to come in." Damaso Marte has been the closer for the past year and a half now IMO. He's just not gotten a lot of save opportunities because he's had to come in and close the door on games in the 7th and 8th inning, and every now and then in the 9th. We just never have had a a great arm, other then Gordon's, to close out the 8th and 9th innings.

Gammons got this one right. From his Novenber 1st column:

 

There has been speculation for a year that the Astros may have to move the Billy Wagner contract, especially to sign Pettitte, and now that the Boston thing has fallen through, several GMs think Wagner could end up in Philadelphia. ...