NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield is staying with the Mets. Billy Wagner, however, could soon be headed to Boston.
Sheffield and general manager Omar Minaya confirmed Friday that they met to discuss the outfielder’s status.
Minaya told Sheffield another club had placed a waiver claim on him, but the GM pulled Sheffield back off waivers rather than let him go or work out a deal to trade him.
Minaya wouldn’t reveal which club wanted Sheffield, but the GM said he decided the Mets weren’t offered enough in return to make a trade worthwhile. Because the fourth-place Mets pulled Sheffield off waivers, they can’t trade him for the rest of the season.
Also, several reports said a team placed a waiver claim on Wagner — and more than one report indicated that team was the Red Sox.
Minaya declined to comment, and Wagner said he hadn’t heard anything about a waiver claim. But the 38-year-old reliever sounded interested in going to a playoff contender.
“I think that’s what every player wants to do is play on a contender and have a shot to go to the World Series,” Wagner said. “Like we all know, I’m not getting any younger.”
Footnotes.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will not play this weekend against the Royals because of the lingering effects from a right inner ear infection.
• Tim Wakefield (back) allowed one run and two hits over 5 2/3 innings in a rehab start for Pawtucket, which beat the Rochester Red Wings 2-1.
• Justin Duchscherer’s agent says the Athletics right-hander won’t pitch this season so he can concentrate on his treatment for depression. Duchscherer has been out all season after undergoing right elbow surgery in March.
The Associated Press
