Billy Wagner Out, Hello K-Rod?
This may have been the last season we have seen Billy Wagner in Major League Baseball.
According to SNY, Billy Wagner will be missing the rest of 2008 and possibly all of 2009 after tearing his flexor pronator and MCL in his left elbow. Sounds like some serious stuff. At the age of 37, I doubt that he’ll have much value, even if he does return in 2009 or Spring Training 2010.
Owners who drafted the solid Wagner were rewarded with a nice, productive season. In 47 innings pitched, Wagner saved 27 out of 34 total opportunities and posted a nice 2.30 ERA. He stepped up as the clear leader of the Mets bullpen, and a lot has to be said for that. His 52-10 K/BB ratio was even more impressive.
With Wagner out of the picture, Mets fans have to be turning their attention to the Angels’ Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez, who could get some big bucks from NYM to be their next closer. As you may know, K-Rod is currently on track to break the all-time single season saves record with the Angels. Luis Ayala will probably not be able to sustain the pace that he has been going at, and K-Rod seems like a logical target.
Francisco Rodriguez has posted the highest strikeouts/9 innings and lowest walks/9 innings ratios in his career this season. It has never been more apparent that this guy is at the absolute top of his game. Durability has to come into question, but Rodriguez has certainly got the job done. If K-Rod becomes a Met next season, he will be the first or second closer drafted.
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