The waiver wire continues to be a hotbed of activity as Jon Meyers and Rich Prestano of the Yesterday Knights have decided to waive relief pitcher Ricardo Rincón. In a statement to the media, GM Jon Meyers made a surprising comment about the decision, stating it was "over after the TMZ affair with the llama, nuns, and crystal meth." Despite Rincón’s respectable on-field performance, it seems the off-field drama has outweighed his contributions, leading to the team parting ways with the left-hander.
Rincón, 28, was coming off a solid 1998 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Statistically, he maintained a 2.91 ERA over 60 appearances, striking out 64 batters in 65 innings while keeping a WHIP of 1.215. His ability to limit hits—6.9 per nine innings—and keep home runs to a minimum (0.8 HR/9) made him a reliable option out of the bullpen. However, his 29 walks indicated some control issues, which, combined with the off-field controversy, may have made him expendable in the eyes of the reigning champs.
In an effort to strengthen their bullpen, the Yesterday Knights wasted no time, picking up right-hander Turk Wendell off the waiver wire. Wendell, who also pitched for the Mets in 1998, had an impressive season, posting a 2.93 ERA over 66 games, nearly identical to Rincón's. Wendell, known for his quirky habits on the mound, recorded 58 strikeouts in 76.2 innings and was slightly more effective in keeping runners off base, with a WHIP of 1.239 compared to Rincón's 1.250.
The move to bring in Wendell might be seen as a strategic upgrade. While Rincón’s off-field troubles dominated headlines, Wendell’s ability to close out games (with 14 saves in 1998) and his lower home run rate could bring much-needed stability to the Yesterday Knights bullpen.
Despite the drama surrounding Rincón's departure, the Yesterday Knights hope that Wendell’s addition will give them a competitive edge as they look to repeat as champions. Only time will tell if this move pays off, but for now, the focus is back on baseball and away from TMZ.
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