In the first move in a process of trading a player this late in the season, the Mets have put Billy Wagner on waivers, reports Adam Rubin and Jayson Stark.
From here, a team can claim Wagner and the Mets can either pull him back or work out a deal. If a trade is put through, the claiming team will be responsible for some of Wagner’s contract and his buyout for 2010.
“It's unlikely Wagner would be claimed,” Stark wrote. “Any team claiming him would be on the hook for approximately $2.7 million of his $8.5 million salary for this year, plus a $1 million buyout of his option for 2010. So if, as expected, he goes unclaimed, the Mets would be able to trade him to any interested club.”
Wagner expects to be activated on Thursday, Rubin reported.