"The deal that would send Mets reliever Billy Wagner to the Sox appears to be coming to a halt. After Wagner threw a scoreless inning yesterday in New York (with Sox assistant general manager Allard Baird present, according to The New York Times), Wagner said he believes he will stay put. "My gut tells me I'm going to Florida now," Wagner told reporters in New York, a reference to the Mets' next road trip. "Unless something changes, I'll probably be a Met." The Sox have a deadline to complete the waiver transaction by 1:30 p.m. today (Boston.com)."
Wagner is going to use his no trade clause, because the Red Sox will not guarantee that they won't pick up his option or offer him salary arbitration. If they were to offer him arbitration that would mean any team that tries to sign him would have to give the Sox draft picks, which would hurt his value. Wagner wants to get to 400 saves, and does not want to be a setup guy next season. This is really too bad, because I think a hard throwing lefty would fit in perfectly to the Sox bullpen. The deadline is at 1:30pm today, so we'll keep you posted if anything changes...
***UPDATE***
"With just minutes remaining approaching a 1:30 p.m. deadline, a source familiar with the Red Sox pursuit of Billy Wagner said a short time ago that talks are still alive and that Wagner is now considering accepting a deal to Boston (Boston.com)."
There is only 1/2 hour to get this deal done, but it seems like it is much more alive then it was this morning. Check back in around 1:30 and we should have another update...
***UPDATE 2***
It is really starting to look like Wagner is coming to the Sox. A major league source told the Globe's Nick Cafardo that a trade sending Billy Wagner to the Red Sox is "looking good".
Then Newsday's David Lennon tweeted this...
"Announcement coming shortly on Wagner. Looks like the trade to Boston is going to happen."
We'll let you know when/if it becomes official.
***UPDATE 3***
Welcome to the Red Sox Billy Wagner...
"A major league source told the Globe's Tony Massarotti that the Red Sox and Mets have agreed in principle on a deal that would bring Wagner to Boston for two players to be named later. 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 (Boston.com)."
I think this is a great move for the Sox. They have basically 0 risk, and now they have a hard throwing left hander. Hopefully Papelbon doesn't go off about this, but fuck him. He should just keep his mouth shut.
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