Guess Billy doesn't want a ring this year.

So, he'd rather play meaningless games just to help himself secure a bigger future payday than actually have a chance at a ring. Yeah, this is a guy I want the Sox to bring aboard.

low pressure=no shot at the playoffs, and therefor no shot at a ring. but hey, he'll make more money!!! whatever happened to old school baseball players? not that i want him on the Sox, but Wags is showing us all exactly what is wrong with baseball in the mega-contract era.

He could objectively be looking at the Sox's chances and not seeing a world series in their future, and maybe doubts their chances at getting to the postseason - in that case his stance does make a lot of sense.

We don't want his type in Boston anyway.

Isn't this just a way of saying Wagner himself has doubts about the success of his elbow surgery and is just hoping to get a team to buy a pig in a poke during the off-season? His reported demands were certainly lopsided; pushing all of the risk toward the Red Sox while claiming all of the rewards for himself. I think it would be best to just let this deal pass by.

I guess the cliche about there being no I in "team" no longer applies to self-serving supposed major leaguers. Frequently injured, frequently involved in flipping over leads. NY went out and got Putz and K-Rod not simply because this guy was hurt, but he is a selfish, undependable oaf.

We are obviously desperate, but since he can't hit, I am uncertain as to why he is worth much except for the two type A picks.

I've never heard a player admit to such cowardly concerns. It's almost brave, but, not, and I'm trying hard not to root for Wagner to get hurt pitching mop-up duty in a blowout. There's no such thing as risk-free pitching, Billy.

When are teams going to realize that stiffs like this are bad risks especially in the American League? Why throw gobs of $$ at over-the-hill players who are more concerned with the next contract than producing on the field to justify a future contract. Eric GAGme was a prime example. Pavano is another. Pedro is another example of a guy who got a guaranteed four year deal and pitched

Well if Wagner's desire is to protect his arm in a low-pressure situations then the best place for him to stay is with the Mets. After that game ending triple play they look about as done as a team can be.

this all seems kinda odd

Let him go. Who wants a player who is only thinking of himself? Stay with the Mets, wallow in mediocrity Wagner. I like players who will do whatever the club needs for the team to win. Guys like Lowell, Youklis, Kotsay (even though he's no longer with the team), Baldelli, etc. Self-serving prima donnas can stay in New York...

sounds like a good move on wagners part. you boston would have abused him like a rented mule.

i guess his desire to win isn't as great as he previously mentioned....

This guy is a stiff, more concerned about making his money and being a closer than about the possibility of winning a World Series or even making the playoffs. He has sat on his ass for over a year collecting a check on the DL and now he thinks 5 weeks or so of pitching will translate into more than the $8 million option he has? The Mets deserve this loser.

Wouldn't the Mets offer him arbitration as well???

Maybe Wagner, Smoltz and Favre can start their own barnstorming team - the Once-Great Egomaniacal In-Denial Arrogant Athletes Tour. (The name needs work.)

"According to the source, the primary concern for Wagner is his desire to protect his arm in a low-pressure situation during the final month of this season, putting him in position to secure a contract as a free agent over the winter."

If his competitive flame burns less intensely than a birthday candle, we don't need him.

Seems to me Wagner has something to hid!, like maybe some arm trouble!!!

Remember Larry Andersen? Bad deal! They're gone in a month or 2 anyway.

Good!!!

I am so torn up about this this was our one chance to get that big guy to turn the season around and win the world series....I'm going to go eat worms.

Hey Wagner...look up the defintion for "professional athlete" because it sure isn't you. Why do the Sox need this Cancer? Really.

with an attitude like that.............buh bye wagner! do not complain when you retire that you never had a chance to win a ring. MORON!

In a way you can't blame him because he'd like to cash out as much as possible before he's through. Although teams with big money may want you to step up when it counts not crawl under a rock until the fighting is over. Doesn't a Championship ring add some $$ka-ching$$ to a free agent's prospects?

Forget about his "stuff" or reasoning, I don't want this clown because he is obviously an idiot. What moron let's it leak that he is unsure of his surgically repaired arm, and wants (actually wants!) to be in a "low pressure" situation? Santino, Santino, don't ever let another man know what you are thinking!

This is great news. Who needs a shot at the World Series? Wagner obviously doesn't have that winning mentality.

He had Tommy John surgery last year. Hey, Jakethesnake, he had nothing "to hid" (sic).

Wagner is not championship material. It's that kind of attitude that he shows which does win championships. He is not a champion. Neither are the Mets. Stay there Wagner and wallow in mediocrity.

No doubt he'll get a ton more free agent money after languishing in obscuiry in the Mets bullpen the last month of the season than if he were showcased in the playoffs. Brilliant move, Billy. Way to think ahead.

Definitely not the mindset you want in a pennant race. Games 4 - 7 of the 2004 ALCS were won because the Red Sox threw everybody out on the field in order to win it all.

"Bean Stringfellow" sounds like some character from an agricultural school play, along with "Cob Corndude" and "Pod Peabuddy."

The redsox don't need him if he wants to stay with a sorry team let him. Anyways what does he think he's gonna get paid as a free agent he's washed up

I'd agree with Wagner's demands ONLY if the Mets are willing to release him outright. I wouldn't trade even a middling prospect with Wagner's strings attached. If that's the case, enjoy Florida, Billy.

A lefty power pitcher would have been great for the Sox. This guy is already looking at next season, Boston doesn't need a guy like that-his priorities are in 2010.

good for the SOX, who wants another FOSSIL. The SOX need to get younger

So AJ,

I suppose Jonathan Papelbon was thinking of the team when he unleashed his latest rant against signing Wagner huh? It seems that all of the self-serving prima donnas aren't in New York all.

A lefty power pitcher would have been great for the Sox. This guy is already looking at next season, Boston doesn't need a guy like that-his priorities are in 2010.

As a Phils fan that had to indure Wagner's bs for multiple seasons, Redsox fans you really don't know how lucky you are that he's not coming to Boston. Go ask Mike Lowell, he's had his fare share of abusing Wags as a Marlin. Even with this economy, I would rather apply for a job with my screen name than with Billy Wagner. The guy has no integrity and the whole world knows it. I mean why do all that work to get back and then pull a stunt like this? A total quack. If he kept his mouth shut he would've gotten both. A chance to get a ring and a good deal from some other team. The Redsox had no plans to make Wagner their closer in '10.

Dude, you're old and washed up anyways. Take your demands elsewhere.

As a Phils fan that had to indure Wagner's bs for multiple seasons, Redsox fans you really don't know how lucky you are that he's not coming to Boston. Go ask Mike Lowell, he's had his fare share of abusing Wags as a Marlin. Even with this economy, I would rather apply for a job with my screen name than with Billy Wagner. The guy has no integrity and the whole world knows it. I mean why do all that work to get back and then pull a stunt like this? A total quack. If he kept his mouth shut he would've gotten both. A chance to get a ring and a good deal from some other team. The Redsox had no plans to keep Wagner pass this season.

What's all this talk about the chance of winning a world series in Boston? He has as much chance of that in NY!!!

He knows no one will forfeit draft picks to sign him because he's 38 and coming off serious elbow surgery. Being offered arbitration is the kiss of death.

The Mets won't exercise his option or offer him arbitration because they don't want him at all. They just signed two closers last season. Plus their owner is hurting for cash because of the Madoff scandal. They can't risk Wagner accepting arbitration and sticking the team with a big salary for a guy who is, for them, a middle reliever.

What it comes down to is, where does he want to pitch next year? For him, Boston is not the best place to be, playoff race or not. He wants to be in the NL, where it's easier to pitch.

Needless to say, I don't buy the injury concerns. It's about the money, as it always is. Not that I blame him. This is his last chance at a paycheck. I'd do the same thing if I were him.

He's doing the Sox a favor anyway. Who wants a guy who's not giving his best because he's babying his arm, making sure he's healthy enough to sign a new contract next year?

"Bean Stringfellow" sounds like some character from an agricultural school play, along with "Cob Corndude" and "Pod Peabuddy."

I think most of the Mets have scheduled time share deals in the month of October, so they're not likely to want to pass that up.

It would be kinda cool to have a former lights out closer on staff, after returning from injury, surgery, and re-hab though. Wow.. imagine the possibilities for the Sox!

Ok.. now where did I put that Eric Gagne jersey?

He wants to reach 400 career saves more than he wants to play for a winning team & the chance for a WS ring ... whatever. In fact, he said making the playoffs & possibly winning a WS would be "icing on the cake" (assuming he gets his 400 saves). Just Wagner being Wagner.

It's too bad they can't work something out. Wagner would be a great addition to the already strong bullpen.

As fans I sometimes think we forget the business aspects of deals like this vs. the chance for post-season glory. Wagner has said he wants to get to 400 saves (I believe he is at @485 now) and the only way he does that is as a closer next season. I'm sure the Mets, Sox or anybody else will not pay him $8mil. for next season, so he will look to get the best pay day somewhere as a closer. The Mets will offer arbitration, making him less attractive. So, from his perspective, if he is going to be traded with his no-trade clause, he is going to get something in return, namely the agreement to not offer arbitration. From his seat, why should he move when it does not enhance his goals. I don't like it, but I get it.

arbitration

I wouldn't want to play with the idiots either.

let this go, Theo...and bring Javier Lopez back up.. he's in the system, he was liked by your boss Papelbon (please, please, PLEASE trade his sorry butt this off season while you can get value for him..package him for King Felix), is a lefty, and won't cost you a dime of your dignity.

He sounds like a clubhouse stink-bomb to me.

Does anyone else not care about this as much as I don't care about this? Like who will be going to Pawtucket for the next five days?

The only reason the Red Sox made a waiver-claim on Wagner was to keep him from the Yankees - they really don't want/need him, they need a STARTER who can get people OUT. So when this deal fails, Wagner is off-limits to ALL teams until the off-season.

Wagner's chief attribute is his unfailing propensity to CHOKE in any big situation. He has been in denial for two years. What can a guy have left if even the Triple-A Mets don't want him. Just what the Sox need --- a mirror image of Eric Gagne

You'd think they were discussing Cy Young coming to the Sox. Let's see - will he fair any better than Theo's other great pickups named Smoltz, Penny, Bal(DL)elli and Kotsay???

What, you guys think that the health of his arm should be irrelevant to him? (post 2, 4, 5, 7 8) Obviously, where the Sox' interest is for this year only, they may not be as careful with using him as they might be with a young prospect of their own. That is reasonable. So he needs to think about that. Or you disagree? The Red Sox should be more important to Billy Wagner at this point than his own long term health and career????

Stay in NY you bum, we don't need a guy who is trying to play for a contract and always going to be thinking of not trying to get hurt out there. NO THANKS

Wagner's got as much of a chance to win a ring with the Mets as with the Sox this year, let's face it. But you can't blame a guy that knows he'll get overworked and wanting to keep his shoulder from tearing into retirement. He's 38 and coming off Tommy John, folks, come on--is that the best guy the Sox can find? And idiot Papelbon opens its yapper and essentially says that he doesn't want the guy on the team. Some welcome mat, especially to a guy with 385 saves and a solid career. You insist on a no-trade clause for a reasons other than just "winning," so I don't think he cares much about what you think of him and his will to win.

...but he'd be a beloved rented mule, bohman...

Like it or not, he will be a Redsox by 1:30.... He can't be that stupid...

Can anyone explain a technicality to me:

I know that having Wagner on the Red Sox against his will might be a bad thing--you don't want a guy who doesn't want to be there--but what would be to stop the Mets from just letting the Red Sox claim him off the waiver and then have the Red Sox separately trade the player/players agreed upon to the Mets for cash considerations of, say, $1?

No Jeff Bagwells left in this organization. Few hitters, period.

Everyone knows that the only thing standing between the Red Sox and another WS ring is lefty reliever. Every other part of the club is perfect. Who knows, had Wagner been with the club a week ago, the Sox may have only given up 27 runs in 3 games to the yankees.

uh oh lame hankees fan alert...what's up hankees fans...no money left for your own site..."you boston"...no, you boston...or maybe it's you Tarzan...me Jane...WTF, hankees fans, go away, get back under your pinstriped rocks please

This guy talks out of both ends. One minute he says he wants to pitch in a low-pressure situation, the next he says he wants to pitch in a pennant race. Make up your mind!

Tony: Your a drama queen, find a new profession. go into the arts ridicoulous

how can he not want to enter a play off race....im sure he would be just a situational lefty anyhoo and i would think it could bolster his chances at a contract next yr...no one is gonna pick up his 8 mill option either...im sure the mets will offer arbitration unless they have a gentlemans deal set...either way is anyone overly excited about this topic?....not me...judge

like smoltz, his arm's probably more than adequate for the NL, but not the big leagues (AL).

Wagner, Bard, Pap, Oki-... Nice righty-lefty bull pen options.

Pass!!!

He's a selfish prima donna. He doesn't want to win a ring, he doesn't want to be a Red Sox. He's a mercenary. A dumb one. The best mercs shut up and don't let the world know exactly how selfish and stupid they are.

We know what Wagner is. Pass. You don't win championships with stupid, selfish players who could care less about the team concept and winning.

Bullpen with Paps, Bard and Wagner....wow..that will be something....

i wonder who is biting the dust in the bp...strange deal but i guess a situational lefty for texeira is the thinking...if we get that far....i just hope the plrs to be names later arent any big deal....remember the gagne deal....lawdy....judge

This guy is a cancer in the clubhouse. Constantly critical of management and teammates. After he left Philadelphia because they were not committed to winning, they promptly won two division titles and a World Series.

In a May 7, 2006 interview, Wagner stated that he was confronted by all of his former Phillies teammates in September 2005 after Wagner criticized their performance in the media by repeatedly saying that the Phillies had "no chance" of making the playoffs, with Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell reportedly calling Wagner a "rat."

On May 15, 2008, Wagner ran off a profanity laced tirade after the Mets lost a 1-0 game to the Washington Nationals. Some speculated that it was directed toward teammates Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado about them not being available for interviews in the locker room following games.

Let's hope this isn't Gagne 2.0

Don't do it, The Red Sox do not need any more charity cases. Hasn't Theo learned that picking up old broken pitchers isn't worth it? I wonder what Tito thinks of this deal?

WANTED **Major League pitcher 35 yrs + looking to revive career position available ASAP** Pls contact Theo Epstein in response to this ad. I hear Luis Tiant might be coming back too Theo - what better time than now

The blow sox are desperate. They just better hope that band box they call a
ball park never closes or they would be nothing more than a 500 team. Their road record for years has sucked. Wagner is washed up. so I hope the genius Theo signs him. They should be looking for a short stop since they've
had 30 in 3 years who couldn't catch the ball or hit their weight.

Just what we need another over the hill pitcher who has had arm problems. Way to go Theo!!!!

Smell that? Smells like Gagne.

This is just too funny....... Smoltz 2.0!!!!!!!!!! :-)

wait a sec...we're paying the rest of his salary *and* giving up 2 mid-range minor leaguers?

Can Wagner hit? We need a DH

Wow! Wags vs Pap. I 'll take Pap. Papa smurf always knows best... always...

This is gonna blow up in the Red Sox's face. Wagner will hide an injury and surprisingly accept salary arbitration this winter and end up costing the Sox around $8 mill for a pitcher out for 2010.

RE:BryantBulldogs

Yes the Mets would offer arbitration, or pick up the option, and there is nothing Wagner can do about it. But he is trying to work it into the trade that neither of those options are available to the Red Sox

If the Sox can't do arbitration and Wagner walks in 4 months, then he is not so appealing to them. Gone in 4 months and no draft picks for losing him. That means they give the Mets less appealing prospects. Also, next year, when/if he does sign with somebody else, and had the Sox offered arbitration, the signing team gives the Sox the draft picks. That means, Wagner is less appealing to a potential team next year. Less teams are likely give him a decent contract if they have to give up picks to get him.

This is a potentially great aquisition. If he is healthy he gives us a top lefty versus Yanks and takes the load off of Bard, who is not quite ready for prime time.

I like this deal a lot-- strengthen the 'pen for the stretch with a second left, not to mention a power arm to compliment Oki's finesse.

Offer his arbitration and potentially bring him back next year

OR

Pick up two compensatory picks.

Nice job THEO!

What's the French pronunciation for "Wagner"?

This get up-to-date attention, whereas no where on the site does it mention the SJC nixing the state's proposal to collect taxes from Town Fair tire in NH. I see where your priorities lie, Globe.

I would be concerned about a guy coming to the end of his career and his only concern is collecting numbers and not a ring.

He is worried about pitching in a low pressure situation, isn't that what he is in now? He does not have to let up as he pitches, he can still attack the situation regardless of the score or isn't mentally capable of getting up to pitch for his future, let alone his team?

Steer clear Boston, his post season era is horrible and his heart is not in it. He is just another heartache looking to happen for you.

Even if they don't keep him next year, they can always hold onto the compensatory paint sprayer they received in the deal.

Why are we giving up prospects, if we didn't get him?

Can't help but wonder what effects on the bullpen "chemistry" this will have when considering Papelbon's "competitiveness".

I hope this isn't Eric Gagne all over again.....Then again they did win the WS that year :-)

I like the deal. As long as they didn't give any decent player up (ie...Murphy for Gagne) then I'm fine with it. Good lefty option out of the pen as long as he's healthy. We'll get 2 compensatory draft picks next year if he doesn't sign back up with us so...it's a good deal. He'll help us.

well im sure he will be just a lefty specialist...lets hope he can handle pena and crawford,matsui and such....hes definately a character...might add some fire....lets hope not another gagne deal....lets also hope he isnt afraid of throwin....alot of "lets hope" if ya ask me....judge

Eric Gagne, Part 2: Electric Boogaloo

The bullpen equivalent of the Smoltz/Penny type of signing - hopefully with better results...

What is Theo thinking with this one--- I like pitching, but this sounds like rent-a-player for the rest of the year and bye-bye.... and gone are (2) prospects. Yuck!

Just what we need another over the hill pitcher who has had arm problems. Way to go Theo!!!!

Larry Andersen is a bad analogy because there we gave up a blue chip prospect in Bagwell. Here, we apparently are giving up 2nd tier guys and $2M. If BW pitches as well as Andersen did for us in his short stint, this will be a good deal.

Just what the sox need, another rehab problem.

Welcome to Boston Mr. Wagner!

How do you spell Wagner?
G-A-G-N-E

wagner pitched on thursday, and couldn't get loose until monday. watch out for the poor control and the long ball. i thought the red sox had a great farm system, why do they have to pick up injured pitchers ?

This is good trade for the Sox. In a short playoff series, being able to run Beckett, Lester and 7 quality relievers out there can put the Sox in strong position against anyone. The Sox will take care of his arm. If this trade cost them 2 players from a group of Bryce Cox, Richie Lentz, Jason Place, Aaron Bates, Jon Still, Jorge Jiminez, I'm okay with this. Where they can offer arbitration and get 2 picks for him after the season, this should work out fine.

Can they put the pieces together now to finish strong? Beckett looks a bit tired and Bucholz is still a wild card. Wakefield, Tazawa and Dice-K need to help out fast. Bats seem to be getting warmer and scoring runs.

I don't understand what the Sox see in him. Another over the hill pitcher. The bullpen is the least of our problems.

Just we need, another deceased pitcher. I really hope he proves me wrong!!!

so much for the all the insiders and experts saying no way he was coming...

Of course reality had settled in with Wagner....and maybe his comments urked some of red sox nation....but I think having Wagner, even for only 5 weeks will make a hugh difference....Red Sox nation has to come to reality that our bullpen is not that great like it was thought of...Wagner can only help, especially if Papabon continues his inconsistent appearances..

Great move, if he can stay healthy...he's competitive with something to prove. Sox need a tough lefty to neutralize the likes of Matsui and Pena. Definitely worth the risk. Sox bullpen could now be best ever.

Another expensive has been, what is Theo thinking??

Are we too often "giving away the farm [team]" on things like this? $2M and 2 players for one month? Sooner or later, that farm is going to be needed...

What other team do you know of that gives up farm over and over for older players with a history of injury, and now suffers from a depleted farm system?

HINT: they wear pinstripes and are housed just north of Manhattan

This is a slippery slope...I hope for the best, but man o man....

Who is this spinless source, surely the same clown writing the article? "Wagner would rather play meaningless games than play in the playoff race?". Hell hath no fury like a Red Sox fan scorned.

Please, Wagner doesn't owe the Red Sox anything. He comes back early from TJ surgery, so both the Mets and him agree to work out something mutually beneficial. Mets get 2 players and save paying him this season, Wags gets a chance at a pennant race and Wags gets a chance to close and reach his goal of most career saves by a lefty.

Stop being such babies and think just because the Red Sox have a chance at the playoffs, he should uproot his family and give up his shot at the record.

Arbitration: Maybe it works in sports but that is a game Life is no game and no fun in forced arbitration. Consumers are being black mailed and they are forced to accept the terms. If not they are refused any kind of services. Or they are taken advantage of and financially ruined. The culprits get way in arbitration. They are protected. They are relieved of any responsibility, accountability or ethical conduct. Do you know consumers cannot even get a door from Lowe's without giving up their seventh amendment rights. Even when I paid cash last week, for the door they refused to let me have it delivered. I had paid the delivery changes too. I had to go and sign an arbitration clause with of course, non profit AAA. American (bleed you dry) Arbitration Ass.
My husband could not join a 24 hour gym and we could not even get Aflac with out AAA. What is wrong with our government. They seem ed to be just shocked at our outrage...we are angry Americans and we have every right to be....
Think about it, that is about the only right we have left.

Jordan Fogal
jfogal281@aol.com
www.jordan-fogal.com