"Billy Wagner could be calling Fenway Park home by Tuesday.

Fresh off Wagner's impressive return Thursday night from Tommy John elbow surgery, the Red Sox placed a waiver claim on him yesterday.

The former All-Star closer said Boston's move was "news to me," but Wagner was openly excited by the prospect of a meaningful September and October.

"Every player wants to do is play on a contender and have a shot to go to the World Series," Wagner said before the Mets opened a four-game series at Citi Field with a 4-2 win over the Phillies.

The Mets now have until 1 p.m. Tuesday to work out a trade with the Red Sox, allow Boston to simply take him as part of a salary dump, or pull Wagner back off waivers.

A source said Mets general manager Omar Minaya would like at least one quality prospect in return, a demand that could kill a potential deal much as it did with Gary Sheffield's recent waiver claim by San Francisco.

Acquiring Wagner will require a commitment of at least $2.7 million from the Red Sox. That's the prorated amount of his $10.5 million contract this season and his $1 million buyout for next season, though Boston has the financial muscle to digest his $8 million salary for 2010.

Wagner also has to waive his no-trade clause, but that didn't appear to be a holdup to any deal.

"Like we all know, I'm not getting any younger and the window's starting to shut," said Wagner, 38, who threw in the mid-90s Thursday in a perfect eighth inning against the Braves. "You want to have that chance, and take it if you get it.""