Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Mets add Wagner, look to Ramirez
Tue, Nov. 29, 2005
Billy Wagner became the latest star to join the New York Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Monday on a four-year, $43 million contract only hours after first baseman Carlos Delgado was introduced at a Shea Stadium news conference.
Considered by many the top reliever on the free-agent market, Wagner, 34, saved 38 games for Philadelphia last season. The Phillies offered just more than $30 million over three years to retain the left-hander, whose fastball reaches 100 mph.
The deal is expected to be announced today after a physical in New York, and with Wagner in the fold, Mets general manager Omar Minaya can turn his attention to Manny Ramirez, who is very much in his sights heading into next week's winter meetings in Dallas.
The Mets also need a catcher, and Minaya has offers out to Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina.
Wagner's average salary would be the highest for a reliever, topping the $10.5 million Mariano Rivera is earning from the New York Yankees under a two-year contract that started last season. Earlier Monday, Toronto finalized the largest overall deal for a relief pitcher, a $47 million, five-year contract with B.J. Ryan.
The Mets have an $8 million club option for 2010 with a $1 million buyout; if exercised, the deal would be worth $50 million over five seasons.
Lack of production at first base and closer Braden Looper's struggles were two of the biggest deficiencies last season for the Mets, who faded in September and finished tied for third in the NL East at 83-79, seven games behind first-place Atlanta.
No deal with Nationals
Major League Baseball says it has not agreed to pay the District of Columbia's $20 million request to cover cost overruns on a new stadium for the Washington Nationals.
"All these items have been under discussion but there has been no agreement on any single point and there is no agreement until we have a consensus on all points," Major League Baseball president Bob Dupuy said.
Dupuy said arbitration is still an option to resolve the impasse, which threatens to scuttle construction of the new stadium.
Tejada not angry
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada says he isn't mad at former teammate Rafael Palmeiro for involving him in a steroids scandal.
Palmeiro was suspended in August after testing positive for steroids. He said Tejada gave him vitamin B-12, and suggested it might have been tainted with performance-enhancing drugs.
"I don't hold a grudge against Palmeiro," Tejada said. "I only tried to help him because he looked tired and wasn't eating well. Sometimes being a good person is bad."
Source: http://www.dfw.com/
Billy Wagner became the latest star to join the New York Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Monday on a four-year, $43 million contract only hours after first baseman Carlos Delgado was introduced at a Shea Stadium news conference.
Considered by many the top reliever on the free-agent market, Wagner, 34, saved 38 games for Philadelphia last season. The Phillies offered just more than $30 million over three years to retain the left-hander, whose fastball reaches 100 mph.
The deal is expected to be announced today after a physical in New York, and with Wagner in the fold, Mets general manager Omar Minaya can turn his attention to Manny Ramirez, who is very much in his sights heading into next week's winter meetings in Dallas.
The Mets also need a catcher, and Minaya has offers out to Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina.
Wagner's average salary would be the highest for a reliever, topping the $10.5 million Mariano Rivera is earning from the New York Yankees under a two-year contract that started last season. Earlier Monday, Toronto finalized the largest overall deal for a relief pitcher, a $47 million, five-year contract with B.J. Ryan.
The Mets have an $8 million club option for 2010 with a $1 million buyout; if exercised, the deal would be worth $50 million over five seasons.
Lack of production at first base and closer Braden Looper's struggles were two of the biggest deficiencies last season for the Mets, who faded in September and finished tied for third in the NL East at 83-79, seven games behind first-place Atlanta.
No deal with Nationals
Major League Baseball says it has not agreed to pay the District of Columbia's $20 million request to cover cost overruns on a new stadium for the Washington Nationals.
"All these items have been under discussion but there has been no agreement on any single point and there is no agreement until we have a consensus on all points," Major League Baseball president Bob Dupuy said.
Dupuy said arbitration is still an option to resolve the impasse, which threatens to scuttle construction of the new stadium.
Tejada not angry
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada says he isn't mad at former teammate Rafael Palmeiro for involving him in a steroids scandal.
Palmeiro was suspended in August after testing positive for steroids. He said Tejada gave him vitamin B-12, and suggested it might have been tainted with performance-enhancing drugs.
"I don't hold a grudge against Palmeiro," Tejada said. "I only tried to help him because he looked tired and wasn't eating well. Sometimes being a good person is bad."
Source: http://www.dfw.com/
