Did the Mets trade the last six weeks of Billy Wagner for two minor leaguers?

So it seems.

According to a report in the NY Post, Billy Wagner is “planning to retire.”

Wagner, who was traded from the Mets to the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 25 for Chris Carter and Eddie Lora, appeared in only 15 games for the Sox. He posted a 1.98 ERA and 1.098 WHIP in 13 2-3 innings.

Wagner told Mike Puma…

"I don't plan on talking to nobody," Wagner said, when asked where he might pitch next season.

Does that mean retirement?

"Why wouldn't I?" he said. "I've got nothing else to [accomplish]."

In that case, happy trails, Wagner. Enjoy your alpacas.

Manuel’s Musing

Facial hair is “part of baseball's culture.”

-Jerry Manuel on facial hair and baseball

Should they stay or should they go? [Pitchers]

The 2nd annual “Should they stay or should they go?” article. While you read, I suggest you listen to this.Below is a list of all pitchers who made an appearance for the Mets in 2009 and whether they should stay or go for 2009…

Johan Santana – Stay.

Mike Pelfrey – Stay.

Oliver Perez – Unfortunately, stay. (Because no one will take that contract.)

John Maine – Stay.* (*But I think he will go.) It will be another year of DL stints and arm soreness, I assume. But right now, he’s better than most other options. If (big if) he can stay healthy, he should be somewhat effective in the Mets rotation. But this is a guy I could see them shedding. If he’s not back next season, I won’t lose sleep over it.

Tim Redding – Go. Strong finish notwithstanding, get this guy as far away from the Mets as possible. Unless of course, he pitches for beard groomings.

Bobby Parnell – Stay. In the bullpen. Though he showed flashes of brilliance once or twice, Parnell is the poor-man’s Joba Chamberlain. He’d be a so-so starter, but a much better bullpen pitcher. Now about all those hits…

Nelson Figueroa – Stay. He dominates at Triple-A and has a rubber arm for when the injury bug strikes again. Also, how can you not like this guy?

Brian Stokes – Stay. Probably my favorite pitcher on the staff hit a few rough patches the last few months of play, but overall was about as effective as I could have hoped. Maybe if he got regular appearances he would pitch better.

Sean Green – Stay. He needs to stick with that new delivery. Hanging on by a thread, though. I’d be fine to see him go. Go. After further review (a few more minutes pondering him over) I’d rather see Green go.

Francisco Rodriguez – Stay. BB-Rod or no BB-Rod, he’s one of the better closers in the league. Plus, I have his jersey.

Pedro Feliciano – Stay. Offer this guy a multi-year deal, simply for the fact that he’s pitched in 54 percent of the team’s games over the last two years. OK, maybe not simply for that fact. But he's been a good reliever who can stay healthy and pitch in half your team's games. That's valuable.

Pat Misch – Stay. Triple-A fodder.

Fernando Nieve – Go. Sorry, bud. The magic just won’t be there when you get back.

Elmer Dessens – Go.

J.J. Putz – Go. I wonder if they will ever regret this trade?

Ken Takahashi – Go. Bye bye, Tank.

Jonathan Niese – Stay. He’ll be back and hopefully on the roster again. If they can’t field a somewhat competitive team next year, it should be a year of growing pains for the young guys at the major league level. If not, to the minor leagues.

Lance Broadway – Go. No thanks.

Tobi Stoner – Stay. See: Niese.

Graph: 2009 Mets, by age

Breakdown of the 53 Mets players to appear on the roster in 2009, broken down by age.

Can you name the one 20-year-old and two 40-year-olds?

(All ages gathered from Baseball-Reference.com)

Video: Walking on the warning track at Citi Field

From YouTube user dyhardmet…

Matsui a Met?

No, not Kaz.  Hideki.

David Lennon ponders in Newsday if Hideki Matsui could make his way across town. 

Please, no.

Matsui did not play one inning in the field this season.  Let me repeat that.  Matsui did not play one inning in the field this season.

At least Gary Sheffield appeared in 12 games for the Tigers in 2008.

Matsui is also on two surgically repaired knees, which Lennon points out one was drained twice, this season alone.

Sure, a guy that can hit home runs would be a nice addition, with Matsui belting 28 this year, but there is no designated hitter in the National League.

No.  Thank.  You.

Oktoberfest at Citi Field

Thrilling.

Graph: Mets Top 10 HR leaders in 2009

Albert Pujols led the league with 47 home runs.  The league average was 10. 

Five Mets at least met the league average, while only one surpassed it.

It should be noted that Carlos Beltran hit 10 home runs in 357 plate appearances, Gary Sheffield hit 10 home runs in 312 plate appearances and Jeff Francoeur hit his 10 home runs in 308 PAs.

Go-Go Gomez feels sorry for the Mets

In no way, shape or form would I ever undo the Mets trade of Johan Santana.  Two surgeries or no surgeries, Santana has meant more to the fans of the Mets than Carlos Gomez (and those three other guys) ever will.

But, it was quite sad to watch Go-Go Gomez slide across home plate on Saturday night, propelling the Minnesota Twins into the playoffs.  Especially while Santana sits at home resting and recuperating.

The Daily News caught up with Gomez, who had this to say about his former teammates…

"I am sorry for the Mets," said Gomez. "I am hurt too. I spent five or six years with the Mets, and I see how they collapse. When your friends hurt, you hurt too. That's baseball, you can do nothing about it.

"Johan has done a good job. They traded Johan for me, he does a good job there and I think I do a good job here."

I always liked Gomez as a emotional player, sort of the poor-mans Jose Reyes.

Anyways, go Twins, go Rockies, go Cardinals and go Angels.  Go-Go Gomez.

On the radio from 12-1

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