Wagnerian drama plays out

The Sox and Stringfellow were trying to work out a couple of things, one being that Wagner does not want the Sox to pick up the $8 million 2010 option on his contract and that the team not offer him salary arbitration. Why would Wagner do this? Basically it gives him the ability to sign wherever he wants after this season. But he’d be giving up the $8 million, which would seem tough for him to obtain elsewhere after Tommy John surgery.

Wagner, who always has admired the Red Sox from afar, will be happy to accept an assignment to Boston if his conditions are met. With a full no-trade clause as part of his four-year, $43 million deal, he had the right to squash a deal, but he’s just about had enough of the Mets after years of being the team’s go-to guy for the media after virtually every major subject, positive and negative, came up.

The feeling is Boston will give the Mets a marginal player or prospect to appease New York management.

Wagner warmed up in yesterday’s Mets loss to the Phillies, but didn’t enter the game. The Mets should make sure he doesn’t pitch the rest of the way. Wagner, who has returned ahead of schedule from that Tommy John surgery, threw a successful inning Thursday, and the Sox liked that he hit 96 miles per hour once and was throwing around 92-93 consistently.

The Red Sox probably could use a setup man for Papelbon because young Daniel Bard’s inexperience could become an issue. His numbers have become more human over the last seven games; he’s allowed runs in five of them.

Could Wagner be that setup man? GM Theo Epstein would at least like to find out.

But Papelbon said he thinks Epstein has a tricky decision ahead, and the closer is concerned about redefining roles in the bullpen if Wagner comes aboard.

“When you acquire somebody you have to get rid of somebody,’’ reasoned Papelbon. “I like the way our bullpen sets up right now. So that’s the tough situation.’’