Tony Massarotti cites an unnamed source to report that the Red Sox' waivers bid for former Mets closer and Tommy John surgery victim Billy Wagner is "probably dead." Wagner, one of Jonathan Papelbon's favorite pitchers, will likely exercise his no-trade clause to keep the ailing Mets from shipping the pitcher to Boston. The sticking point? Wagner didn't want to endanger his newly repaired elbow while pitching during meaningful innings with a team that's making an actual playoff bid.

Week Around the Ists, November 1–7