Bean Stringfellow, the agent for reliever Billy Wagner, told WEEI.com late Wednesday afternoon that eight teams have shown interest his client, and has been told by a few of the interested clubs that Wagner will be presented with offers sometime next week. All of the teams have approached Wagner with the intention of using him as their closer, said Stringfellow.

The agent also reiterated that the one team which Wagner could land with that wouldn’t be using him as a closer is the Red Sox, who Stringfellow said he has “no doubt” will offer the pitcher arbitration.

“Billy is absolutely, believe or not, open to going back to Boston,” Stringfellow said. It was Wagner, the agent said, that listed the Red Sox as one of the teams he would be open to signing with when Stringfellow met with his client immediately after the regular season ended. “If you asked me if he would be open to returning to Boston right after the season ended I would say there was no chance. But he’s the one that brought it up to me,” he said. “He shared some stories that gave him comfort there in Boston that made him feel like could come back there. It was one of the most positive experiences that he ever had.”

If the Red Sox offer Wagner arbitration and he signs with another team, the Sox will receive two draft picks. Dec. 7 is the deadline for players to accept or reject arbitration. Stringfellow feels Wagner will have enough offers in hand prior to that date that an informed decision can be made by the pitcher in regards to a possible return to the Red Sox.

The Boston Herald first reported the reliever’s willingness to potentially accept arbitration from the Red Sox.

2 Comments for “Agent: Red Sox still in the mix for Wagner”

1. Sportsbozo Says:
   November 25th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

   The reason why its in Billy The Kids best interest to re-sign with the Sox,because he’s not required too come in and close every game and he’ll easily get his 15 saves here without going out every night and blowing his arm out.

2. NebraskaRSfan Says:
   November 26th, 2009 at 8:41 am

   Bozo, there is much validity to your assertion. Add this to your theory. Red Sox trade Papelbon, Bowden, Lars Anderson and Pimentel for Adrian Gonzalez (or what ever major trade which includes Papelbon such as for Halladay). In my opinion, Papelbon is gone because of his refusal to sign an extension and his oft stated assertion that he deserves Rivera $$$$$$$$$$.

   Then the closer role resides with Wagner and Bard. With Bard and one or two others, the Sox can manage Wagner’s role considerably well.

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