Will the National League Hold King challenge fail like this?
Brooks Reilly (35, New York Mets) has completely transformed into a bullpen pitcher after returning to the majors after racking up 48 wins with the Lotte Giants in the KBO League. With 19 holds this season, Rayleigh won the National League with Steven Rogers (San Diego Padres, 19 holds) following Taylor Rodgers (22 holds, San Francisco Giants), Joel Payamps (Milwaukee Brewers), and Tanner Scott (Miami Marlins, more than 20 saves). Hold is tied for 4th place.먹튀검증
It is a great opportunity to win an individual title for the first time after returning to the major leagues in 2020. After signing a two-year, $10 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, he moved to the New York Mets ahead of this season. For Rayleigh, it is a precious time to build specs as a reserve free agent.
However, he is not expected to receive many hold opportunities anymore. This is because the Mets have been sluggish this season contrary to expectations, and have been selling ahead of the trade deadline. On the 28th, closer David Robertson was sold to the Miami Marlins. Even the possibility of a trade between Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer is being discussed.
Anyway, when Robertson left, Rayleigh took charge of the Mets’ back door. Rayleigh earned a save against the Washington Nationals on the 28th, the day of the Robertson trade, with 1 strikeout, 1 walk and no runs in 1 inning. Second save of the season. And through the match against Washington on the 29th, the bench’s Rayleigh technique became clearer.
Rayleigh also came out as a closer. This time he was in the top of the ninth with a 5-1 lead. He struck out lead hitter Stone Garrett with an 81-mile sweeper on a ball count of 2B2S. He put a sweeper towards Luis Garcia, but was hit by right hand. However, Ildemaro finished the game with Vargas as a sinker and treated the shortstop as a double hit.
The save was not given because it was 4 points. But it became clear that the Mets considered Rayleigh a closer. In 45 games this season, 1 loss, 19 holds, 2 saves, an ERA of 2.43. It has been the most stable run since his 2012 major league debut.
At the start of this season, the Mets closer was Edwin Diaz, not Rayleigh or Robertson. However, Diaz injured his knee while celebrating Puerto Rico’s advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic last March and suffered an absurd injury that ended the season.
Afterwards, the finishing baton passed from Robertson to Rayleigh. For Rayleigh, there is a high possibility that he will not be able to exceed the hold king challenge, as well as his own 25 holds (2022), the most in a season. However, if his ability is recognized even with his finishing, it could do well for his valuation in the 2023-2024 free agent market. In that respect, the Robertson trade isn’t bad for Rayleigh.