Online sports betting indicated that the Boston Red Sox have traded for New York’s Billy Wagner. How Wagner will fit into the bullpen situation in Boston remains to be seen, but the Red Sox didn’t give up much to get the former closer. Boston is still very much in the Wild Card race and Wagner could make a sportsbetting impact.
Online sports betting had Wagner waiving his no-trade clause as Boston agreed not to pick up Wagner’s option for 2010 but they still have arbitration rights. This sportsbetting news is a reversal from just a day ago when Wagner said he wouldn’t agree to the deal.
Wagner was said to not like the deal for a number of reasons but at the last minute changed his mind. He would like to be the closer but that role on the Red Sox goes to Jonathan Papelbon. Online sports betting had Wagner not being thrilled about the arbitration part because if a team signs him they would have to give Boston first and second round picks as compensation. Boston’s general manager Theo Epstein is doing everything he can to improve the Red Sox and keep them in the playoff picture.
Online sports betting stats tell us that Wagner is sixth on the career save list with 385. He is looking to get to 400 and even to 425 as online sports betting indicates, so he can pass John Franco for the most saves ever by a left-handed pitcher. “I’d like to get at that level,” Wagner said. “There’s not many people in that 400 club.” The big key for Wagner is next season when he wants to be a closer again. “I don’t want to end my career as a set-up man,” Wagner said. “I’d like to have that option.”
Wagner has pitched well since coming back from elbow ligament replacement surgery. He was expected to miss the entire season but he is back and looks good. Online sports betting had him striking out two Atlanta batters last Thursday when he was clocked at 96 mph. He also pitched a scoreless inning against the Phillies on Monday as sportsbetting stats tell us.
The Red Sox have fallen to 6-1 to win the World Series in sportsbetting odds at the online sportsbook. They are now the sixth online sports betting choice at the sportsbook behind the Yankees, Angels, Dodgers, Phillies and Cardinals.