The closing bell

Billy Wagner is out. Francisco Rodriguez is expensive. Brian Fuentes is the quiet guy. J.J. Putz and Huston Street may be among the new targets.

These guys will not come cheap. Among them are George Sherrill, Joakim Soria, and Kevin Gregg.

My favorite of the bunch: Soria. He's young, he's good, and he has a great nickname. "The Mexicutioner" on the Mets? Yes, please.

Soria has pitched for two years in the majors, and is only 24-years-old. In 2007, he threw in 62 games, notched a 2.48 ERA, and picked up 17 saves. Last season was even better. Sixty-three games, 1.60 ERA, and a 1.60 ERA. Can't ask for much more than that out of a closer.

Mexicutioner will cost a lot. As you can tell, he's a great pitcher, and is a staple of the Royals team and one of their only bright spots. Don't expect him.

The best option out there won't be picked up via a trade, according to Ken Davidoff. He believes that Jeremy Affeldt might be the best option for a closer.

Lefty Jeremy Affeldt, 29, put together a decent season with Cincinnati, striking out 80 batters in 78 1/3 innings. Interestingly, he held righty hitters to a .335 on-base percentage and .391 slugging percentage; lefties got on base worse (.301 OBP) but slugged better (.444 SLG). For his career, he has performed slightly better against lefties (.335 OBP, .410 SLG) than righties (.348 OBP, .414 SLG).

The Mets have been linked to him for a few years, so it wouldn't be surprising if they can pick him up. He's had some up and down years, and he's coming off one of his best. Interesting his name would come up for a closer for the Mets, but I like Davidoff's thinking.

Will this World Series end already so we can embark on some real rumors and grumblings.