Billy Wagner coming back

[SU Nittany Tide]

Not that its a surprise...but ESPN reports the Phils have exercised the option.

[PhilaVa]

10/15/2004 1:31 PM ET
Phillies pick up Wagner's option, Rodriguez exercises his option


tickets for any Major League Baseball game
The Phillies have notified closer Billy Wagner that they are exercising their 2005 option on his contract. Under the terms of the contract, Wagner will be paid $9,000,000 next season; had the club not exercised the option, Wagner would have been owed a $3,000,000 buyout and would have been eligible to file for free agency.

The Phillies were also notified by reliever Felix Rodriguez that he will exercise the 2005 player option that was part of his contract. Rodriguez, acquired from the San Francisco Giants in July, will be paid $3,150,000 in 2005. Rodriguez would have been eligible for free agency had he not exercised the option.

"One of the strengths of our team is our bullpen, and having both Billy and Felix under contract allows us to focus on other needs going forward," said Phillies GM Ed Wade. "Billy is one of the premier closers in baseball, and although he battled through some injuries in 2004, we are sure that he will play a key role for us next year. And having Felix and Tim Worrell pitching for us late in games in a huge plus."

Wagner, 33, went 4-0 with 21 saves and a 2.42 ERA this past season, which was abbreviated due to two extended stints on the disabled list. He missed a month early in the season (May 8-June 8) with a strained left groin muscle and then missed another six weeks (July 22-September 4) with a strained left rotator cuff. Despite his injuries, Wagner posted a 0.36 ERA in his final 24 appearances, in which the Phillies were 22-2.

Rodriguez, 31, went 5-8 with one save and a 3.29 ERA in 76 games for both the Phillies and Giants. With the Phillies, he had a 3.00 ERA in 23 games and struck out 28 batters in 21.0 innings (12 SO/9.0 IP). In his final 11 games of the season, Rodriguez had a 1.80 ERA.

[thomeismyhomie]

Well, we expected it, but thats a major sigh of relief.

[PhilaVa]

F-Rod coming back also...he could have been a FA, but he wants to stay.

F-Rod and Wagner will cost us 12,150,000 next year alone.

[DaveBrownisgod]

The back end of the bullpen seems to be pretty well set up. I assume Madson will be long relief, if he isn't a starter. The next question is whether or not Cormier will be back.

[thomeismyhomie]

The back end of the bullpen seems to be pretty well set up. I assume Madson will be long relief, if he isn't a starter. The next question is whether or not Cormier will be back.
Cormier was one of the guys who wanted to know about the coaches first, before making a decision.

[kwahraps]

Cormier was one of the guys who wanted to know about the coaches first, before making a decision.
I'd like to see Telemaco stay on in long relief.
Cormier could be our situational lefty.
F-Rod and Worrell for the 7th and 8th innings.
Wagner the 9th.
Madson is the wild card here.

Should he be used as a starter or to strengthen and deepen the bullpen?

Much will depend on what FA pitchers the Phils go after, Millwood and Milton included. I don't see how Millwood comes back, and what price will Milton demand? While I believe they need to get groundball pitchers, it was interesting to see Milton's home and away numbers. Never would have guessed . . .

[FlyEaglesFly]

the phils also added Aaron fultz through waivers from the twins


i think he can have a chance to be the second lefty in the pen with cormier or whoever they decide to get for that



fultz was 3-3 with a 5.04 era with 1 save and 5 holds

he pitched 50 inn giving up 50 hits he struck out 37 while walking 23





also its good to have frod and wagner coming back

[SU Nittany Tide]

I think itd be dumb to take Madson out of his very successful reliever role. He may be a pretty solid starter if thats where he ended up, but I dont think he'd be anything THAT great. Out of the pen he was one of the best.

[Hey Look Its Chase Utley!]

I would be mildly surprised if both Worrell and F-Rod are back next year. Just my opinion.

[pdorazio00]

What's Worrell's contract situation? I really don't want him back. I'm pretty indifferent on Cormier, but ecstatic to have FRod and Wagner back.

[PhilaVa]

I would be mildly surprised if both Worrell and F-Rod are back next year. Just my opinion.

F-Rod already agreed to come back...Worrell just finished his first year of a two year contract, why wouldn't he be back? Worrell will make what he did this year 2.75 Million. Well worth it if you ask me.

[JRoll]

F-Rod already agreed to come back...Worrell just finished his first year of a two year contract, why wouldn't he be back? Worrell will make what he did this year 2.75 Million. Well worth it if you ask me.
I still think that Mad dog should be 7th, F-Rod 8th and Wagner 9th, Worrell as a multipurpose guy, Tele as our long guy and a lefty situational guy, whether it be Frenchy or a FA.

[SU Nittany Tide]

Who's all on the bandwagon to get Hernandez back???? ;)