New Closer in Town

FRANK FRANCISCO - RP
2011 stats - 1 W, 4 L, 3.55 ERA, 17 S

After getting rid of Frankie Rodriguez in the middle of last season, the Mets went closer by committee in the summer, a patchwork job in order to get through the season.

The main piece of Sandy Alderson's bullpen fortification was the addition of their new closer, Frank Francisco.  After spending the first six years of his career with Texas, Francisco played with the Blue Jays yesteryear and was their main closer in the second half.  He is a bit of a strikeout machine; since the 2007 season, he has the 5th most strikeouts among American League relief pitchers.

There is no doubt there Francisco is the closer on this Mets squad.  That's in the information the organization promised him during free agency and the reason why Francisco inked a two year deal with the Mets.  The team can only hope now that the closer role will not be a distraction and potential detriment as it was in 2011.