Astros trade Wagner to PhilliesFlamethrowing closer Billy Wagner is moving on.
The Houston Astros, the only organization for which Wagner has played, traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in exchange for pitchers Brandon Duckworth, Taylor Buckholtz, and Ezequiel Asatcio.
Last season, Wagner was 1-4 with a 1.47 ERA. He converted 44 of 47 saves with 105 strikeouts in 86 innings.
Duckworth, the only picther the Astros received with Big League experience, was 4-7 with a 4.94 in 24 appearances last season.
Although Houston seems to have gotten little in return for a top closer like Wagner, the team made the move because it wanted to free up money to sign a big-name free agent this off-season.
Wagner has one year and $ eight million remaining on his contract.
NHL Hall of Fame inducts four

Pat LaFontaine, Grant Fuhr, Brian Kilrea and Mike Illitch were inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame on Monday.
LaFontaine spent his entire 19-year career with the New York Islanders. He is fifth all-time in points by an American-born player with 1,013. LaFontaine recorded 468 goals and 545 assists in his career. He also starred on the 1984 US Olympic team.
Fuhr was a stand-out goalie primarily with the Edmunton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings during the 1980s and 1990s. He is fifth all-time in wins for a goaltender with 403, and he won four Stanley Cups. He is also the first black man elected to the Hall of Fame.
Illitch is the owner of the Detroit Red Wings. He was enshrined because he promoted several youth service programs in Detroit.
Kilrea was honored for his service as a youth hockey coach. It is rare for a youth coach to be enshrined, but Kilrea coaches in hockey programs which have benefited over 15,000 kids, including LaFontaine. He has won over 1,000 games in his career.