The Time To Trade Wagner Is Now

Every day that goes by that the Mets hang onto Billy Wagner, is a decline in the return on what they could get for him via a trade.

Let’s face it the Mets are out of it and the club is primarily looking forward to next season to try to right the wrongs they have written in the past few seasons.

Even before their financial woes, the Mets have made it pretty clear that Wagner’s tenure with the club would be over by the end of the 2009 season.

So why are they holding onto him?

I understand that the 38 year old reliever needs to rehabilitate, but he’s shown he is ready for a taste of the big leagues, as he has pitched in five scoreless outings and has topped out in the mid 90s.

If he were to be traded now, the Mets could possibly net one or two decent prospects from a team in need of bullpen help. The Rays would be a perfect fit as it appears Troy Percival, their former closer, is calling it quits after numerous battles with injuries.

Tampa has a slew of young talent, whom the Mets could really use if nothing more than to provide depth and to fill their minor league lineups, whom have been rather dreadful this year.

Only time will tell whether or not Omar will swing a deal. However if he allows Wagner to walk at the end of the year and get nothing in return, than Minaya too deserves to be on his way out as well.