"The next save Jonathan Papelbon makes should be against himself.

First, the Boston closer dissed Mariano Rivera before the All-Star Game last season. Now he's pulling a similar act with the Mets' Billy Wagner.

The Mets put Wagner on waivers and the Red Sox were awarded the claim, so it's likely the hard-throwing lefthander is going to be joining Boston in the coming week. Papelbon's reaction? He questions the wisdom of a move that most would call a no-brainer. "I like the way our bullpen sets up right now," Papelbon said Sunday. "We have a good dynamic in the bullpen. We have guys who know how to work well together. ... It's not that simple."

Relief pitching has been one of Boston's biggest strengths this season. Entering play Sunday, its 3.67 bullpen ERA was second in the AL only to Tampa Bay (3.65). Papelbon has converted 29 of 32 save opportunities and posted a 2.08 ERA in 52 innings.

"Is Billy Wagner a great pitcher? Would he bring some more depth to our bullpen and make our bullpen better? There's no question about it," Papelbon said. "But you have to also think about what we have now and what we've been able to accomplish this season and how good we've been.

"It's a tough decision because do you disrupt what we have now or do you make it better? It's a tough decision and I am glad I don't have to make it."

Papelbon raised most New Yorkers' hackles last July when he suggested he would be a better choice to close the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium than Rivera. Earlier this season, he irked Boston fans by saying he would pitch for the Bombers once he becomes a free agent."