No-trade sealed deal for Wagner

Billy Wagner and the New York Mets finalized their $43 million, four-year contract Tuesday, and the ace reliever was introduced at a Shea Stadium news conference.

Wagner saved 38 games for Philadelphia last season and turned down an offer of just more than $30 million over three years to stay with the Phillies.

While the Mets offered a no-trade clause, he said Philadelphia was willing to include it for only the first two years of a contract.

“It came down to the no-trade,” he said. “To me, that played a very important role.”

The 34-year-old left-hander, whose fastball reaches 100 mph, appeared at Shea one day after the Mets held a news conference for Carlos Delgado, acquired last week from the Florida Marlins.

Four-time All-Star Power dies

Vic Power, a flashy fielding All-Star and the last major leaguer to steal home twice in a game, died at Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He was 78.

Power died of cancer in a hospital in this suburb of San Juan, said his sister, Carmen Pellot Power.

A four-time All-Star who won seven Gold Gloves at first base from 1958-64, Power was known for his showy, one-handed snags. He hit .284 with 126 home runs and 658 runs batted in during a 12-year career, mostly with the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland and Minnesota.

Clearing the bases

The Los Angeles Dodgers have received permission to interview Cleveland third base coach Joel Skinner for their vacant managerial job. Skinner joins four others as candidates for a position that’s been vacant since the team parted ways with Jim Tracy on Oct. 3. … Free-agent infielder Abraham Nunez, 29, and Philadelphia agreed to a $3.35 million, two-year contract. Nunez started 77 games at third base for St. Louis last season, batting .285 with five home runs and 44 RBIs in 139 games. … Cal Eldred, 38, who came back from serious injury and illness in the last three seasons to pitch for St. Louis, decided to retire. … Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, during a news conference to announce the signing of right-handed reliever Bobby Howry, said the team spent several hours talking to free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal in Atlanta. The Cubs and Howry, who pitched for Cleveland last season, finalized a $12 million, three-year contract. … Right-hander Dennis Tankersley and St. Louis agreed to a minor league contract. … Pittsburgh agreed to minor league contracts with five free agents, including right-hander Matt Whiteside, who was second in the International league in saves last season with 27.