From JOEL SHERMAN

The initial reaction after it was announced Billy Wagner will need Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of this season and probably all of next year is that his absence will hurt the Mets and will motivate them to pay for a big closer in the offseason, notably Francisco Rodriguez (pictured). I don’t believe either to be true. And here are three reasons why: 1. Wagner’s absence certainly has not hurt the Mets, so far. They are 22-10 without him and the overall bullpen has not permitted a run the last seven games. Statistically, Wagner was a brilliant closer. He ranks among the best ever in ERA, batting average against, strikeouts per nine innings, etc.

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