NL News & Notes

AL News & Notes

New York – With All Star Closer Billy Wagner out indefinitely, possibly for the year, the Mets must turn to their shaky bullpen to close the games out.  After trading for reliever Luis Ayala Monday, the Mets signed ex-Devil Ray Closer, Al Reyes to a minor league contract.  Ayala, who pitched in over 50 innings for the Nationals, had a tRA just under 5 in his time there.  Reyes, who pitched in a combined 83 innings over the past 2 years with Tampa Bay, averaged 1 HR in every 10 balls hit in the air in 2007, and had a tRA of just over 5 in his 83 innings over the past 2 seasons.  Neither of these guys look like they should be able to get the job done. Neither is current closer Aaron Heilman, posting a 4.96 tRA this season, with a 8% HR rate of balls hit in the air.

St. Louis – Adam Wainright is scheduled to return from his Sprained right middle finger that has sidelined him since a Win on June 7th.  Prior to his injury, Wainwright had a 3.14 ERA, but a 4.26 tRA, showing that he had his defense bail him out once or twice. However, Wainwright also posted an above average K/BB rate (3.10), BABIP (.263) and GB% (47.6%).  There was speculation of Wainwright returning as the closer, but due to Chris Carpenter’s injury, he will return to the rotation.  He is a must add & start for his start on Friday.  This leaves Chris Perez to be the closer, who has succeeded in the trial period that he had, and now, poised, expect him to be better than ever.

Florida – Hanley Ramirez was taken out of the game Last Night after apparently jamming his right thumb while stealing second base.  Although he is listed as day-to-day, this may be a problem that can cause him to miss time, or that may linger with him.  Arguably the best fantasy baseball player this year, Hanley will be hard to replace.  To replace him, I recommend Jed Lowrie, who has posted an average to above average contact% (81%), BABIP (.382), BB/K rate (0.58) in 137 at bats.  Although this is a small sample size, he has also put up these types of numbers throughout his minor league career.