Billy Wagner pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2008 at Shea Stadium. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Relief pitcher Billy Wagner has waived his no-trade clause and agreed to a trade that will send him from the New York Mets to the Boston Red Sox.
The teams had a Tuesday afternoon deadline to work out the details after the Red Sox made a waiver claim for the 38-year-old Wagner late last week.
Wagner is sixth all-time with 385 saves but has pitched just two innings this season — both scoreless — as he tries to work his way back from elbow ligament replacement surgery last year.
The Red Sox would send two prospects to be named later but give up a team option on Wagner next season.
With a history as a closer Wagner was not keen on acting as a set-up man for Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, but the fact Boston is contending and the Mets struggling played a part.
"He wanted to be part of a pennant race," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said on a conference call. "We were able to get a couple of prospects for him. We felt it was the right thing to do."
Wagner will become a free agent, but Boston can make an offer through salary arbitration, which means they'll be compensated with a pick if another team signs the Tannersville, Va., native.
As a tradeoff, Boston will be on the hook for the rest of his 2009 salary, a figure over $2 million US.
The left-hander has made 767 career appearances with New York, Philadelphia and Houston, with a 39-37 record.
He has averaged 1.30 strikeouts per inning in his career while yielding just one hit and/or walk per inning.
The Red Sox are looking to fortify a bullpen that has struggled of late in front of closer Papelbon..
