Billy Wagner to the Red Sox?

[Roy Hobbs]

New York Mets reliever Billy Wagner has been claimed by the Boston Red Sox, SI.com has learned.

The Mets now have three days to work out a deal with the Red Sox, who are willing to assume the $2.7 million remaining on Wagner's contract this season.

Wagner, who spent the last 11 months recovering from Tommy John surgery, returned to the mound on Thursday night for the first time since Aug. 2, 2008. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two of the three hitters and unleashing a fastball that touched 96 mph.

Let's hope it works out; I'd love to see Wagner here.

[Rondo2287]

I agree I guess he was pretty solid in his outing the other night.  A power lefty out of the pen would be great especially in yankee stadium where you need left handed hitters that pound the zone

[Chris]

Yeah, if Wagner can find a bit of his old form he would be a great pickup for the Sox Bullpen.  They have the open spot now that Masterson is gone, and needed another lefty even before he was traded.  Hopefully they can make this happen.

[nickagneta]

Good pick up. He'll be needed on the post season roster.

[Big_Matt34]

Good pick up. He'll be needed on the post season roster.

They just claimed him, a deal still needs to be worked out and considering the Mets asked for high level talent back for Sheffield id think they will do the same for Wagner. I hope they can agree to a deal but im not overly optimistic.

If they do get him they have some options for after this season too. They can either excercise his 8 million dollar option for next year or let him go and get the draft picks for him as theres a good chance he will be a type A FA.

[Rondo2287]

According to all the articles that I have seen today, the guy isnt even that worried about his contract and the option year, which is what he was originally talking about.   Now he is saying that he is to old to set up(Which doesnt make sense to me, hes to old to close)  and that he is also worried about being overused (Which doesnt make sense since Francona coddles players more than any manager I have seen in recent time, its not like he is going to play for Torre ala, proctor and farnsworth)  It sounds to me the guy just knows already that he doesnt have the stones to come play in the AL east. 

[Roy Hobbs]

According to all the articles that I have seen today, the guy isnt even that worried about his contract and the option year, which is what he was originally talking about.   Now he is saying that he is to old to set up(Which doesnt make sense to me, hes to old to close)  and that he is also worried about being overused (Which doesnt make sense since Francona coddles players more than any manager I have seen in recent time, its not like he is going to play for Torre ala, proctor and farnsworth)  It sounds to me the guy just knows already that he doesnt have the stones to come play in the AL east. 

Yeah, what I read was that he wouldn't come here unless the Sox declined his option for next year and declined arbitration.  Basically, he wants to hit free agency next season with a chance to close.

[Rondo2287]

Right thats what I was hearing yesterday now there is stuff about him being worried that he will be overused and everything and now not so much about his option year. 

Im thinking he knows hes running low in the tank.  And doesnt want to cripple his chances and landing a contract next year with the Red Sox because,

1) he may suck it up in which case nobody want him
2) he may do well in which case we offer him arbitration and the teams that sign him have to give up a draft pick. 

Both options there hurt his value siginificantly on the open market.  But by the same token doesnt appearing to be worried about being overused and then next year expecting to be, "The guy," in the bullpen?

[jambr380]

Looks like it is over- oh well. We have a bullpen that 'should' be good. I agree with you Rondo, if he is being super picky about how he gets traded and doesn't want to be overused, then I can't imagine he will be highly sought after next year...

Can't the Mets do all the same things the Red Sox could do (offer arbitration, pick up option year)? So I don't really know what the big deal is...I guess if he wants to close, that's understandable, but in my opinion, he should be happy with 8 mill at this stage in his career, too...

[Roy Hobbs]

Looks like it is over- oh well. We have a bullpen that 'should' be good. I agree with you Rondo, if he is being super picky about how he gets traded and doesn't want to be overused, then I can't imagine he will be highly sought after next year...

Can't the Mets do all the same things the Red Sox could do (offer arbitration, pick up option year)? So I don't really know what the big deal is...I guess if he wants to close, that's understandable, but in my opinion, he should be happy with 8 mill at this stage in his career, too...

Yeah, it doesn't make a lot of sense, as Wagner wouldn't be losing anything by coming to the Sox.  Unless, of course, his real concern is that American League hitters would light him up, in which case I wouldn't want him anyway.

[Rondo2287]

1:34 p.m. update: A major league source told the Globe's Nick Cafardo that the Red Sox and Mets are on the verge of completing a trade that would send two mid-range minor leaguers to New York and land reliever Billy Wagner in Boston. A source told Tony Massarotti that the Red Sox will not pick up Wagner's $8 million option for 2010 but will retain the right to offer Wagner arbitration, meaning they would get two compensatory draft picks.

1:23 p.m. update: A major league source told the Globe's Nick Cafardo that a trade sending Billy Wagner to the Red Sox is "looking good".



Guess maybe he has some stones afterall!

[Rondo2287]

1:39pm: Heyman says the Red Sox acquired Wagner. Lennon says the Mets obtain two players to be named later.

WE got him! NICE

[Fafnir]

1:39pm: Heyman says the Red Sox acquired Wagner. Lennon says the Mets obtain two players to be named later.

WE got him! NICE

Will he really help all that much? I'm not so sure.

[Rondo2287]

Cant hurt.  He is a power lefty.  In NY in the ALCS he could be a huge boost. 

[Roy Hobbs]

1:39pm: Heyman says the Red Sox acquired Wagner. Lennon says the Mets obtain two players to be named later.

WE got him! NICE

Will he really help all that much? I'm not so sure.

Yeah...  after reading some of his and his agent's comments, I don't really want him any more.  He can only pitch every 3 - 4 days?  He doesn't think he'll be as effective as a setup man?  No thank you.