Ken Rosenthal is reporting that a team has claimed Billy Wagner off waivers, citing a major league source. Update – 3:16 p.m.: Jon Heyman corroborates the report.
I guess small sample sizes count for something.
The Mets can now either work out a trade for Wagner with the team that claimed him or pull him off waivers, which wouldn’t allow him to be traded again this season. The Mets have three days to work out a deal, says Heyman.
Wagner has $2.5 million left on his contract, plus a $1 million buyout for his 2010 option.
Rosenthal lists the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Cubs as teams who may be interested and have enough money to spend. (My money is on the Cubs.)
He also notes that the Mets are reluctant to include money in the deal, “according to a source with knowledge of the club's thinking.”