Bye-bye Billy? Probably not.
Billy Wagner had no clear answer about his future employment as he departed Citi Field yesterday, but was expecting he would remain Mets property heading into tonight’s game at Florida.
TONIGHT’S PREVIEW: Mets at Marlins
“Unless something changes, I’ll probably be a Met,” Wagner said after his team’s 6-2 loss to the Phillies.
The lefty reliever was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox last week, and the teams have until 1 p.m. today to work out a deal, providing Wagner agrees to waive his no-trade clause. But Wagner won’t make that concession unless he receives a guarantee from the Red Sox that his $8 million option for next season won’t be exercised and he won’t be offered arbitration by the club.
Wagner remains committed to finding a closer’s job next season in a location within a short distance of his Virginia home and doesn’t want the Red Sox in position to control his fate.
If the Red Sox were to exercise the option on Wagner, they could keep him in a setup role next season, preventing him from earning the 15 saves he needs for 400 in his career.
And if the team offered him arbitration and Wagner declined, any team wanting to sign the lefty would have to surrender draft picks. That could make it more difficult for Wagner to find a job in the offseason.
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Jeff Francoeur‘s left thumb has a torn ligament, but he hopes to resume playing within the next few days. Francoeur sustained the injury on Sunday while making a diving catch in the outfield.
“It’s just a matter if I can play through it until the end of the season, and I’m going to try and do it,” Francoeur said.
Cory Sullivan played right field in Francoeur’s place. Gary Sheffield played left and dropped a fly ball in the second inning.
mpuma@nypost.com