Wags down but we have options.....

Closer Billy Wagner is not only done for the rest of this year but it looks like next year as well. Wagner will have TJ surgery on his left elbow which will sideline him until at least this time next year. Wags contract is up at the end of next season ( 1mil buyout for 2010) and you have to wonder if at 37 y/o his Mets career is over...

A Mets team official confirmed that Mets closer Billy Wagner will have elbow surgery this week and will miss the remainder of his season and possibly the entire 2009 season as well. source Star Ledger

With 20 games left and a two game lead in the east I'm sure the Mets are hoping they can limp into the playoffs, as we know once your in it's a whole new season. Depending on the standings the Mets may actually be scoreboard watching this weekend to see if the Phillies beat up on the Brewers since their only two games out of the wild card and that would give them a fall back plan.

For this season I see the Mets having four options Luis Ayala, Al Reyes, Brian Stokes and Ricardo Rincon. So far Ayala has been solid and he was Chad Cordero's set-up man for a few years before his own elbow injury. But Ayala was clearly laboring the other night with a leg/groin injury and you have to be concerned with his health along with handling the pressure as this comes down to the wire. Al Reyes hasn't even pitched an inning for the Mets but he did a solid job as the closer last year in the most offensive division in the league (AL east), Reyes beat out Brian Stokes for the job in Tampa. Now that Wags is gone I'm sure they give Reyes some work to see what they have. As far as Stokes he has looked so good but I'm waiting for the shoe to drop on him, he was so bad last year in the Rays pen that they gave him away even though he was only 28 y/o, throws high 90s and is under control for four more years. A dark horse for the assignment is Ricardo Rincon who has accumulated 21 saves over a 10 year career, the Mets like the cagey veteran and he reminds me of Jesse Orosco. I don't trust any of the other relievers who have all failed under the pressure of closing. Sure the Mets can mix and match to finish the season but if they make the playoffs rosters will reduce and they'll need an identified closer....

"The way Reyes is throwing does not surprise me, but it does [surprise me] the way he is handling one of the hardest responsibilities in baseball," said Devil Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey. "Alberto is a hard worker and one of those people who can overcome any obstacle." source ESPN 6/15/07