Is Wagner being selfish to block Boston deal?
Despite having a chance to leave a Mets team going nowhere for a Red Sox team currently leading the AL wild-card race, New York reliever Billy Wagner apparently will invoke his no-trade clause Tuesday and block a deal that would send him to Boston.
Boston claimed Wagner off waivers Friday, meaning the teams would have had to work out a deal by Tuesday afternoon or New York could let him go for free. But Wagner is declining a move to the Red Sox because he wants to finish his career as a closer. Thus he wants the Red Sox to guarantee that they don’t pick up his $8 million option next season so he can become a free agent. There’s no chance Wagner closes in Boston with Jonathan Papelbon there.
“I don’t want to end my career as a setup man,” said Wagner, 38.
The lefty is sixth on the career list with 385 saves. He said he would like to reach 400 and then pass John Franco (424) for the most by a southpaw.
Wagner’s agent also wanted the Red Sox to guarantee they won’t offer Wagner salary arbitration this offseason, thus making him more attractive to potential suitors on the open market, because those teams wouldn’t have to give up high draft picks as compensation for signing him.
So basically Wagner is being selfish. He also said he wanted some assurance that the Red Sox would not overuse him as he continued his recovery from ligament-replacement surgery.
Anything else?
If the Mets pull Wagner back off waivers, they can’t trade him for the rest of the season. If they let him go to Boston, the Red Sox would be responsible for the nearly $3.5 million owed to Wagner under his current contract.
Wagner was expected to miss the entire season following elbow surgery last September. He made a quick recovery and returned to the Mets on Thursday night, when he struck out two in a perfect inning against Atlanta and reached 96 mph with his fastball.
He pitched another scoreless inning against the Phillies on Monday. He definitely would be a nice postseason weapon for Boston.
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