"The Red Sox' attempt to pry reliever Billy Wagner from the Mets was expected to go down to the 1 p.m. deadline this afternoon.

Wagner, claimed off waivers by the Red Sox late last week, made it clear after the Mets' game yesterday that he will void his no-trade clause only if the team trading for him will agree to not exercise his 2010 option worth $8 million.

"I don't want to end my career as a setup man," Wagner said. "I'd like to have that option."

The Red Sox want Wagner as a set-up man for closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Initially, the Red Sox were led to believe that the Mets were not looking for much in return from any team willing to take Wagner and the remainder of his $10.5 million salary this year. However, after his two appearances since coming back from Tommy John surgery, Wagner has shown good velocity and not allowed a hit and struck out four in two innings.

His performance has increased the asking price, but the Red Sox continue to want to give up only a low-level prospect.

That the clubs continue to talk in the wake of Wagner's contract request suggests strongly that the Red Sox are only interested in Wagner as a 2009 option and have no desire to keep him next year.

"(Wagner's agent) Bean (Stringfellow) can't talk to Boston, so he doesn't know any more than I really know," said Wagner, 38 years old and sixth on the career saves list with 385. "So right now we're just kind of in limbo."

Said one Mets official: "He'd help them because he's so competitive and he's got power stuff, which he can get in on right-handers and left-handers. But, he has to know that he's going from here, the National League, to the AL East, where every mistake is going to get hit hard somewhere, and I wonder what that does to his value (as a free agent)."

Rolling Dice

The earliest the Red Sox foresee Daisuke Matsuzaka returning to the ballclub is the Sept. 8 home game against Baltimore. A setback in his encouraging recovery from right shoulder weakness could push that date back, but the team remains pleased with how the righthander is progressing.

In a rehab start with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox yesterday, Matsuzaka allowed one hit and no runs in three innings. Throwing 37 pitches, he struck out four and walked none. Red Sox manager Terry Francona watched a video-only feed of the start.

"Everything was pretty good - good breaking ball, commanded his fastball, stayed down, threw good changeups, generally very positive," said Francona.

Matsuzaka was expected to fly here last night and be with the team this afternoon. He will pitch for Double-A Portland this Saturday in Manchester, N.H., against the Fisher Cats.

"He's done a phenomenal job," said Francona. "Just getting him back at full strength, being Dice-K, will be very welcome."

Hot corner"