" Bye-bye Billy? Probably not.

Billy Wagner had no clear answer about his future employment as he departed Citi Field yesterday, but was expecting he would remain Mets property heading into tonight's game at Florida.

"Unless something changes, I'll probably be a Met," Wagner said after his team's 6-2 loss to the Phillies.

The lefty reliever was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox last week, and the teams have until 1 p.m. today to work out a deal, providing Wagner agrees to waive his no-trade clause. But Wagner won't make that concession unless he receives a guarantee from the Red Sox that his $8 million option for next season won't be exercised and he won't be offered arbitration by the club.

Wagner remains committed to finding a closer's job next season in a location within a short distance of his Virginia home and doesn't want the Red Sox in position to control his fate. "