Updated: So much for that, Wagner Headed to Boston

As you can see below, Ken Rosenthal had reported that Billy Wagner was going to invoke his no-trade clause and remain with the Mets. Well, he was wrong. Jon Heyman is now reporting that he will be going to Boston for two players to be named later. The Sox also agreed to pay the rest of this year's salary, which is around $2 million, and will not excersise his 2010 option, but will retain the right to offer him arbitration.

And apparently, according to WEEI, Jonathan Papelbon is already causing trouble by opening his mouth:

“What has he done?” wondered Jonathan Papelbon. “Has he pitched this year?”

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon expressed uncertainty about how Mets reliever Billy Wagner, for whom the Sox were awarded a waiver claim on Friday, might help the Boston bullpen. Wagner, who underwent Tommy John surgery last September, made his first major-league appearance in 11 months on Thursday, delivering a scoreless inning and striking out a pair of batters while hitting 96 mph.

Even so, Papelbon wondered whether Wagner, who has a 2.40 career ERA and 385 saves, might be able to help the Boston bullpen, given that pitchers in the early stages of their return from Tommy John often require some time before they are able to perform consistently.

"Is he ready to pitch or is he not? You know what I mean?” asked Papelbon. “I think our bullpen is good where we’re at right now. Don’t get me wrong. But I guess you could always make it better. It’s kind of like the (Eric) Gagne thing, I guess.”

...

“We loved Gagne coming over here, just the stuff that he had, but it was an awkward situation this late in the season,” said Delcarmen. “I think our bullpen is fine right now.

“It is what it is. If (Wagner) comes and helps us win, that’s what we want. But sometimes, shaking things up this late might work out different. We’ll see what happens.”

Yes, let's hope this is the Gagne thing all over again. By the way, could any of you ever imagine a class act like Mariano Rivera saying anything like this? I know I couldn't.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Billy Wagner, who was claimed on waivers by the Red Sox last Friday, will invoke his no-trade clause and remain with the Mets. Here's more from Rosenthal:

Wagner, through his agent, Bean Stringfellow, communicated to the Red Sox that he only would accept a trade if the team met two conditions.

The Sox agreed to one of those conditions, the source said, promising that they would decline Wagner's $8 million club option for 2010, the source said.

However, the Sox were less willing to guarantee that they would decline to offer Wagner salary arbitration, making him a free agent without draft-pick compensation.

Wagner, coming off Tommy John surgery, also was concerned about his health, a second source said.

While this move could have turned in to Eric Gagne II, there was also still a chance it would work out well for the Sox. I don't want to see an already solid bullpen get even better, especially if the Yanks have to play these guys in mid October.