Mets Closer for the Future [Article]

[blueNorange]

Article

Billy Wagner has held up just fine so far after signing a four-year, $43 million contract with the Mets prior to 2006. Given the stress he puts on his arm with every pitch, he didn't seem like a great bet to last into his mid-to-late 30s. However, he's lost little so far and he seems well on his way to posting another sub-3.00 ERA this season, something he's done every healthy year of his career. The Mets would love to see him last as their closer through his option year in 2010, but they did pick up a potential replacement when they traded Brian Bannister to the Royals for Ambiorix Burgos.

Burgos, who saved 18 games for Kansas City last year, has opened this season with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 23 2/3 innings while serving mostly as a mop-up man. Just 23, he likely has a very promising future now that he's in an organization that can worry about what's in his best interests. He could turn into a dominant setup man for Wagner next year and serve as protection in case of an injury to the left-hander.

2006 third-round pick Joe Smith has also looked like a potential closer with his 1.25 ERA as a rookie this season, but his motion is always going to leave him vulnerable to lefties, suggesting that he'd be of much more use as a long-term setup man. Aaron Heilman, who is sharing setup duties with Smith, figures to eventually get his wish to become a starter somewhere. He'll be more expendable as long as Burgos and Smith continue to progress. Also not to be forgotten is Duaner Sanchez, though he's currently sidelined with a second major shoulder injury. He'll likely reemerge as a big part of next year's bullpen.

2008: Wagner, Burgos, Smith, Sanchez
2009: Wagner, Burgos, Smith, Sanchez
2010: Burgos, Smith, Wagner, Bobby Parnell

[majorleads]

I don't want Burgos as the closer and I prefer Joe Smith in a setup role. Hopefully we have someone else in the minors who throws hard and has good control who we are grooming as a closer down the road. But Wags is here for another 2 years so it's a little too soon to be thinking about this right now. Also we don't know who will be available on the FA market.