As of late, there has been a lot of ink spilt and bytes transferred imploring the Phillies to re-sign Billy Wagner, the team's outspoken and incredibly effective closer to a long-term deal.
Be careful what you wish for.
Wagner is seeking a three year deal, at about $8 million dollars per year. That alone is not a bad situation for the Phillies to sign on to. But that is not all he wants, Wagner would also like to see a no trade clause throughout the life of the contract. And that is where the Phillies -- rightfully so -- are taking pause.
By the time a three year deal would finish, Wagner would be 37 years old.
Wagner has had a history of injuries throughout his career, none that were terribly serious, but all are symbolic of the wear and tear of a 5'10" man hurling a baseball just under 100 m.p.h. with regularity. By the time Wagner is 37, his injuries may become more significant, taking away playing time more and more.
Back in June when the Phillies were seemingly fading into Bolivia (to quote Mike Tyson), many were calling for big trades to shed the payroll of aging and unproductive players. The Phillies made no moves, partly because they believed the team would rebound, but also because their hands were tied with hefty long-term contracts with no trade clauses.
The same type of thing Billy Wagner wants.
So, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff is here to warn you of the dangers of signing a aging and diminutive fireballer with a history of injuries to a deal that will take him into his late-30's.
All those that want to sign Wagner with a no trade clause had better not surface in a few years on message boards, blogs, opinion columns, and barstools complaining about Wagner's big contract.
I'll be there to tell you I told you so.
------------------
Should we steal his bats or tie his arms to his sides...
...According to several reports, Jimmy Rollins is a bit of a bat-hog, collecting many in an effort to find the perfect one. This fact may make it difficult to pull of my master plan to take Rollins bat away from him before his first at-bat of every ballgame.
Last night, Jimmy Rollins swung at the very first pitch of the game. Everyone knows that the Diamondbacks bullpen is weak, so wouldn't it make sense to take some pitches in an effort to wear out their starter just a bit earlier and get to the bullpen just a bit sooner?
It might, but it is obvious all logic is lost on Jimmy Rollins when it comes to leading off.
-----------------
Speaking of the Diamondbacks bullpen, using Rheal Cormier in last night's game, when the Phillies were down just two runs, was completely absurd. With an ERA over 6 and a homerun rate of nearly two per nine innings, Cormier is French for "caution flammable".
Aaron Fultz must pull his hair out in the bullpen every time Cormier's name is called in a close game.
