The latest news here in Boston is that Billy Wagner will be heading to the Red Sox after all.  Wagner has a no-trade clause with the Mets, and a club option for $8 million next season. The trade was initially thought to be a no-go, because in order for Wagner to waive his no-trade clause, he demanded that the Sox decline the option, and the Sox refused to do so.

Huh?

Billy Wagner has been a very good closer over his career, but he’s also coming off Tommy John surgery, and while his two innings of work this season have been impressive, I can’t imagine why he thinks he’ll make more than $8 million next season.  He’s insane not to demand that the Sox pick it up, and the Sox should consider themselves lucky that he’s not doing so.  Similarly, the Sox are crazy for not agreeing to decline it immediately, given the Eric Gagne debacle of a few years ago, and the fact that they already have Jonathan Papelbon under their control (though he’s arbitration eligible).

Wagner knows he’d be a setup man in Boston and wants to be a closer somewhere next season.  He has stated that he wants to reach 400 saves, and hopefully become the leader in saves by a left-hander.  Is it possible that he cares about his legacy in baseball more than money?  Man, that would be refreshing, but it’s just so hard to believe.  The cynic in me thinks he’s talked it over with his agent, and his agent thinks there’s someone out there who’ll pay more than $8 million for his services next year.

I just can’t figure out who.