Well I suppose it was just a matter of time before someone jumped at the chance to sign former Red Sox reliever Billy Wagner once he announced that he would lower his asking price in search of a new contract. Today the Atlanta Braves signed the 38 year old lefty to a 1 year deal worth $7 million with a vesting option for a second year (Really? That’s lowering the price? Yeesh!), presumably to take over cloing duries for the NL east team. Obviously, Wagner’s signing leaves little doubt that Braves will no longer try to retain both Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, despite offering both arbitration yesterday. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, both are expected to receive multi-year deals from other teams, something the Braves were not going to do.
So what does this mean for fantasy? Wagner’s value should take an immediate increase as he takes over in Atlanta. Prior to the injury, he was one of the more dominant and reliable closers in the NL posting quality numbers across the board. He has 385 career saves with a career 2.39 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. He’s also amassed 1,092 Ks in 833 2/3 innings. In 15 2/3 innings last year he notched 29 Ks and a 1.72 ERA so it looks like his recovery from elbow ligament replacement surgery is long behind him.
We’ll have to wait on Gonzalez’ value, but because most teams like to employ a righty for ninth inning duties, he’ll likely remain just a lefty specialist with save vulturing possibilities. Soriano, on the other hand, found great success once handed the reins in Atlanta and should remain a closer for whichever team he signs with, Obviously though, we’ll have to take a ” wait and see” approach as well. I’m guessing Houston could be a likely destination, especially if the Astros don’t retain free agent Jose Valverde.
Keeper leaguers may have to wait until after the GM winter meetings to decide what to do with a guy like soriano, but if you’re looking to retain a closer (whom you probably got for cheap), then wagner will be a more than viable option.
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