Astros trade Wagner to Phillies

[Shitney™]

NEW YORK (AP) -- All-Star closer Bill Wagner was traded Monday from the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies, The Associated Press learned.

Both teams called news conferences for later Monday.

While no names were immediately announced, a high-ranking major league team official said on the condition of anonymity that the deal involved Wagner. The other players were not immediately known.

Wagner, a three-time All-Star, figures to solidify a bullpen that struggled at times last season.

[pkarr5000]

for who?

[Pogotheostrich]

If that is true, that is huge. Goodbye Mesa. I would guess Dotel becomes the closer in Houston.

[Pogotheostrich]

for who?

Gammons says it is Duckworth and a player to be named.

[Shitney™]

for who?

Gammons says it is Duckworth and a player to be named.

bye bye duck pond..

[Philly Big Red]

This is a great deal for the Phillies as they can now concentrate on a #1 starter and maybe Tejada.

[Madison]

Yes, that is HUGE! Dotel's value just went through the roof.

[Walden warriors]

Dotel sucked as a closer when Wagner was gone in 2000. His TRADE value certainly skyrockets, but is he going to be all that as a closer?

[Madison]

Here's a story:

Astros trade Wagner to Phillies

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
November 3, 2003
NEW YORK (AP) -- All-Star closer Bill Wagner was traded Monday from the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies, The Associated Press learned.

Both teams called news conferences for later Monday.

While no names were immediately announced, two high-ranking major league team officials said on the condition of anonymity that the deal involved Wagner.

Philadelphia sends Houston right-hander Brandon Duckworth, minor league right-hander Taylor Buchholz and another minor leaguer, one of the officials said.

Wagner, a three-time All-Star, figures to solidify a bullpen that struggled at times last season as the Phillies competed until the final week of the season for the NL wild card but fell short.

Wagner, 32, is due to make $8 million next season, the third in a $27 million, three-year contract he agreed to in January 2002. The deal contains a $9 million team option for 2005 with a $3 million buyout.

Wagner was 1-4 with a 1.78 ERA last season and had 44 saves in a career-high 78 appearances.

He had criticized Astros owner Drayton McLane for not making a move to get another quality starting pitcher for the 2003 season and expected more of the same for next season.

``It's going to be a tape job,'' Wagner said after the season finale. ``It's not like we're going out there and getting any marquee pitchers.''

Duckworth, 27, was 4-7 with a 4.94 ERA in 18 starts and six relief appearances. Buchholz, 22, went 9-11 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 games for Double-A Reading of the Eastern League.

AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia contributed to this report


Updated on Monday, Nov 3, 2003 12:55 pm EST

[harmsway01]

This is a true story. Source http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1652893