[Lefty Noob]

I was watching the Bucs - Mets game yesterday, and I've got to wonder: what's the deal with Billy Wagner? He almost gave us that one, and I see where he's blown 3 of 10 save opportunities. That isn't ghastly I guess, but its sure not what you'd expect out of a $43 million closer. I know he had shoulder problems... they still bothering him?

[Bishop]

Adjusting to the biggest media market and having a huge contract which can be like an albatross is harder than most players think. Wagner is a great closer but patience must be shown with him. Look at the poor way
Carlos Beltran is handling playing in New York. Still theyre both great players and by the all star break will be putting up good numbers. I have more faith in Wagner than Beltran though for some reason.

[EmpireWF]

Beltran's problems have eased though since he's returned. He seems healthy now and he just plays the game.

With Wagner, I felt the finger injury he had in the Spring carried over some earlier in the season. I still don't think he's 100% but as long as he's out there, I'll feel somewhat confident.

[MJHMarc]

To add to that: Beltran had one full season to adjust to New York. I am expecting him to put up some decent numbers by the All-Star Break or else I will be forced to call him a "bust". How much did the Mets pay for him so far?

Wagner is a good player who always had consistently good numbers each and every year. I would expect him to do the same this year, too.

[EmpireWF]

A little off topic but in response to Marc and Bish...

Beltran's #s this year...

17 Games
15 Runs
2 doubles
5 HRs
12 RBIs
15 BB
11 K
3 SB
.241/.394/.556

Not bad, not amazing either. But in line with the rest of his career minus the 1/2 season he spent in Minute Maid. Along w/ great defense, I think you can expect numbers similar to these across the board throughout the season. Low batting average, decent-good power numbers, good speed, etc.

[legend]

Beltran is incredibly overrated guys! People think he is a 40 homer, 130 RBI man. He rode one incredible month in 2004 to a huge contract. His lifetime high in RBI is 105, and he was playing in that pressure cooker of a town- Kansas City! Look for him to struggle with New York under the media glare of living up to the money he is now making.

[ThePundit]

You're right about Beltran. He's a good player who's making great money. The Mets are force feeding him into the 3 hole when in fact he's really a number 2 hitter.
Regarding Wagner, this is certainly not what the Mets envisioned when they signed him. They could have had Braden Looper do this for 1/10th of the price. It's still really early so as the weather warms up,we'll see if Wagner does too.

[EmpireWF]

Beltran is overrated in some fans eyes. He got such a big contract because of those games in the playoffs with Houston where he hit like a mad man. He's a very good player who gets paid better, obviously.

I don't see why you guys are down on Wagner though. The blown saves are of course, not easy to swallow but look at the #s.

Wagner...
2-0 with 7 saves
15 IP
10 H
6 R, 3 ER
2 HR
7 BB (ouch)
18 K
1.80 ERA
1.13 WHIP
.182 BAA

[MJHMarc]

I agree that those statistics are pretty solid, but how many games did he appear in. When you compare those stats to the total amount of games he appears in they may look different. Think of all the opportunities he had.

[EmpireWF]

Well whattya know, Wagner gave up another HR earlier tonight. It came in extra innings, but the Mets tied the game back up. Game is currently in the 14th, with the Mets up.

Braves and Mets used up their benches and Braves are using Jorge Sosa to pitch (projected to start Sunday lol)