The 2010 Atlanta Braves player previews begin today. If you are still interested in previewing a player, and have not contacted me, go here to learn how to get your post on the TC front page. This first player preview was written by Thomas Grantham, who posts here as granman29.

Following season ending Tommy John surgery in September of 2008, it was uncertain whether or not Billy Wagner would pitch at all in 2009. After he essentially lost his closing job when the Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez last off-season, Wagner publicly spoke of his desire for the club to decline his 2010 option (worth $8M) so that he could finish his career elsewhere as a closer. Because of this, the struggling Mets looked to trade him upon his return last August.

The Red Sox needed help getting games to Papelbon in the ninth and were able to grab Wagner off waivers last August after convincing him to waive his no trade clause by guaranteeing to decline his 2010 option. The 38-year old veteran pitched well in his short time for Boston, posting a 1.98 ERA and striking out 22 batters in 13.2 innings of work.

His brief, yet impressive, 2009 was enough for the Braves to ink Wagner to a one year, $6.75M deal with an additional club option for 2011 ($6.5M w/ a $250K buyout). The option vests automatically with 50 games finished in 2010. Since Wagner declined the Red Sox's arbitration offer and is ranked as a type-A free agent (despite missing an entire season -- thanks Elias), the Braves were also forced to give Boston their first round pick (19th overall) in the 2010 amateur draft.

A six-time All-Star with 385 career saves, Wagner has repeatedly stated that he expects to finish his career as a closer, and all signs point to him doing so for Atlanta in 2010. Following the back end bullpen departures of Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez this offseason, the Braves have high expectations for Wagner, who has posted an ERA above 2.85 only once in his fourteen major league seasons.

Remaining healthy will be the lefthander's biggest key to success in 2010, as he turns the ripe old age of 39 in July. Although he now rarely throws his fastball in the upper 90s, Wagner showed no signs of velocity drop-off in his short time for New York and Boston last season. According to fangraphs.com, Wagner threw his fastball for an average of 94.2 MPH last season, which was only a slight decrease from his pre-surgery 2008 average of 94.5 MPH. However, maintaining this velocity throughout the season will be vital to Wagner remaining the closer. Doing so will allow him to set up his slider by forcing batters to sit on the fastball, a pitch he now throws about 70% of the time.

Frank Wren has taken some heat for replacing the Soriano/Gonzalez duo with two aging veterans, but to be fair Wagner has been consistently dominant throughout his career (2.39 ERA, 11.8 SO/9). If he is able to remain healthy, Bobby shouldn't have to worry about finishing close ballgames with the former divisional foe in his bullpen.

Another exciting side note to the season for Billy Wagner, is one that the Braves quietly hope may sell some additional tickets. With Wagner currently 6th on the all-time saves list, he needs just five saves to catch Dennis Eckersley, and 39 saves to catch John Franco for fourth on the all-time list, and first among all left-handed closers. The Braves, as a team, saved 38 games last season, and with a more reliable guy like Wagner closing out games, saving 39 should be about what is expected.

Many thanks, and a fantastic preview from Thomas. I'm pretty damn thrilled to have Wags at the end of games, old age or not.