Billy Wagner traded to Boston

mickey · #1 08-25-2009, 08:46 PM

The NY Times reports that the deal nobody thought was going to get done, got done, and now Billy Wagner will join the Boston Red Sox. Just yesterday (Monday, August 24th) Wagner used his no-trade clause to block a move to Boston, but changed his mind just before the 1:30 PM deadline today. Wagner wants to win the World Series, something that’s obviously not going to happen for the New York Mets this year. His reasoning for the initial rejection of the trade was that he wanted to be a free agent in the 2010 season and he did not want to wear his arm out for the Red Sox this season as he is still trying to work back from reconstructive elbow surgery.

The Red Sox told Wagner they would allow him to go into free agency next season, opting to pass on the $8 million option in his contract for the 2010 season. They will still have to pay $3.2 million to Wagner this year, who has pitched just twice since coming back from his operation. The Sox also apparently convinced the reliever that they would no over-work him throughout the rest of this season, which was one of his primary concerns.

This is a move that could be a complete bust or a great help for the Boston Red Sox. On one hand they pick up a guy that was once an elite closer to set up games for their current elite closer, Johnathan Papelbon. On the other hand they might have just agreed to pay $3.2 million to a guy that isn’t 100%, who needs to limit his innings, and who might be susceptible to further injury. What do you think?