The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Friday, December 4, 2009
ATLANTA -- Billy Wagner is back in the National League East.
After a brief, month-long run in the American League with the Boston Red Sox, the former Ferrum College All-American has agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.
Wagner, a six-time All-Star closer, and the Braves reached an accord Wednesday that will pay the lefthander a reported $6.75 million next season.
According to the Associated Press, the Braves hold a $6.5 million option for 2011 with a $250,000 buy-out. The report said the option becomes guaranteed if Wagner finishes 50 games in 2010.
Wagner, 38, ranks sixth in career saves with 385 and is second among lefthanders behind John Franco (424).
Drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by the Houston Astros in 1993, Wagner made his professional debut in September 1995 and was named the Astros closer in June of 1996.
Wagner has also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets, both NL East rivals of the Braves. He has represented the Astros, the Phillies and the Mets in the All-Star Game.
Wagner missed most of last season following elbow ligament replacement surgery, also known as Tommy John surgery, on Sept. 10, 2008.
After returning on Aug. 20, Wagner made his final appearance for the Mets. Five days later, he accepted a trade to the Red Sox, who had made an earlier waiver claim on him.
Wagner pitched 13 2/3 innings for Boston and was 1-1 with a 1.98 earned run average and 22 strikeouts.
Wagner, who was used as a set-up man for Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, was with Boston for its three-game American League playoff series against the Los Angeles Angles.
In the deciding third game, Wagner surrendered a hit and a walk in the eighth inning before yielding to Papelbon.
Wagner also has pitched in postseason games for the Astros and the Mets. The Astros and the Phillies each appeared in the World Series soon after Wagner left those teams.
According to the AP, because Wagner was classified a Type A free agent and because the Red Sox offered him salary arbitration, Boston nets two extra picks in June's amateur draft as compensation.
Wagner is a member of Ferrum's Alumni-Sports Hall of Fame and his jersey and number (13) are retired. |
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