Ayala to the Twins

2008's season-ending closer-by-default Luis Ayala has agreed to a 2009 contract with the Minnesota Twins. Up until last year, Luis had been quite a good relief pitcher. Last year, though, he was bad, which explains in part why the Mets were able to trade for him, for what seemed at the time to be the bargain-basement price of deposed middle infielder Anderson Hernandez. Luis was immediately installed as the closer (though no formal proclamation was ever issued), and, to his credit, saved nine games in eleven chances. But he faltered at last, as did the whole 2008 bullpen, and ended up with a Mets ERA of 5.50. I thought he would be back this year in his more-familiar role of a setup man, but then there was that whole "addition by subtraction" thing, and the Mets never showed any interest in re-signing him that I heard about.

In other ex-Mets news, former emergency catcher Mike DiFelice officially ended his playing career, accepting the reins as manager of the Mets' rookie-league Kingsport franchise. Good move! And welcome back, Mike.