Billy Wagner Claimed Off Waivers: Who Is The Mystery Team?

According to Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated.com, Billy Wagner of the Mets was claimed off waivers from the New York Mets after returning from the disabled list.

Wagner pitched in Thursday night's game against the Braves, the first time in all of 2009 and looked very impressive in the 8th inning, striking out two batters.

With the waiver trade deadline on August 31, it was almost certain that the Mets would deal Wagner right before it to shed some payroll in this horrendous year.

Now comes the big question, who is the mystery team that has claimed Wagner?

The Mets will now have three days to work out a possible deal to trade Wagner, or just let the team who claimed him take the rest of his contract and accept him for the roster for 2009.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Rays and Marlins both had interest in Wagner.

According to John C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinal, he said he can't see the Marlins committing about $3.5 million for a rental player like Wagner for five weeks.

So if that story is true and takes the Marlins out of contention, are the Rays the likely team?

It would make sense if the Rays were the mystery team.

They lost two closers in the season to injuries: Troy Percival and Jason Isringhausen. Both Percival and Isringhausen's careers may in fact be over because of their injuries so late in their careers.

The Rays are four games back behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card chase. Wagner throws about 96 miles per hour and his arm is fresh. It would make sense for Tampa Bay.

Would any other contender be interested? I know the Phillies have had bullpen problems, would they bring Wagner back? The Phillies have had a ton of injuries to their pitching staff and Brad Lidge had been inconsistent in 2009, so I wouldn't completely rule Philadelphia out.

How about teams like the Tigers, Rangers, Cardinals and Rockies? All of those teams are in contention and adding someone like Wagner could help their pennant chase hopes.

We will all know in the next three days who the Mets will be dealing with to acquire Wagner's services, but for now, let the guessing games begin.