Cheap Relief Help On The Way

[ljshorty89]

Mets acquired RHP Luis Ayala from the Nationals in exchange for infielder Anderson Hernandez. Ayala requested the trade a couple of weeks ago. He was 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA in 57 2/3 innings for the Nats this season, but a change of scenery might do the trick. He's leaving behind some personal issues and should only help the Mets' struggling bullpen.

So, the Mets trade away a mediocre middle infielder who could never hit major league pitching for a reliever who's proven in the past that he can succeed, and despite a bad year, is more likely to help us this year. Great deal if you ask me. Ayala can't hurt our bullpen, and Hernandez was never going to have any impact on the Mets considering Easley, Castillo, Argenis Reyes, and even Marlon Anderson were capable of playing 2B on the roster.

[Slyder]

David Weathers... *clap clap clap clap*

[ljshorty89]

Interesting point about Ayala....prior to this year, whenever he was healthy, he was at the least a reliable reliever. He was also the longest tenured Expo/National. The intriguing part about it is that he spent all of his good years pitching to ONE catcher. That catcher? Brian Schneider. Perhaps being reunited with a catcher he obviously felt comfortable with can help him as much as a pennant race and a change of scenery can?

[ljshorty89]

Luis Ayala made his debut today, coming in in the 7th inning, down 3-2. He entered with men on first and third, and 1 out, and managed to pitch well to get the Mets out of the inning. We then rallied for 5 in the 8th, Aaron Heilman pitched well, and we won 7-3. Impressive game for the Mets and impressive debut for Ayala.

[ljshorty89]

Ayala pitched his 2nd appearance as a Met tonight, entering in the 8th with men on first and second with 2 out, finishing off the inning, and pitching the 9th as well. He allowed 1 hit and 0 runs in 1.1 Innings, and got the win when Carlos Delgado got his walkoff "single". Not a bad start for Ayala!