Agent refutes retirement talk
Billy Wagner's agent refuted Tuesday's reports that the closer, who just completed his 15th season and is 15 saves short of 400, is planning to retire.
The New York Post reported Tuesday that when asked where he might play next season, Wagner responded: "I don't plan on talking to nobody."
When asked if that meant he would retire, according to the newspaper, Wagner said: "Why wouldn't I? I've got nothing else to [accomplish]."
On Wednesday, Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, told media outlets (including ESPN.com) that the left-hander had no intention of retiring.
"He wants a ring and he did not do all that rehab just to quit now," Stringfellow said, according to FoxSports.com. "His family supports him fully."
Wagner, who had major elbow surgery in September 2008, resumed his career in late August after getting traded from the New York Mets to the Boston Red Sox, for whom he made 15 regular-season appearances, striking out 22 in 13 2/3 innings with a 1.98 ERA.
Part of Wagner's trade included the Red Sox's assurance they would not pick up his $8 million option for next season. Wagner, 38, wanted to pitch for a contender, but he also wants to resume his role as a closer, something he could not do with the Red Sox because of Jonathan Papelbon.
But according to the Post, not even the prospect of becoming only the fifth pitcher to reach the 400-save milestone seemed enticing to Wagner, who told the newspaper that was "just dust in the wind."
Stringfellow told the Boston Herald: "Those comments probably came right after the Red Sox lost [in the American League Division Series], so I'd bet they were said in the heat of the moment, when he was very frustrated. That's probably not the best time to take comments like that as gospel."
In 15 seasons with the Astros, Phillies, Mets and Red Sox, Wagner is 40-38 with a 2.39 ERA. He is a six-time All-Star.
