The Mets have acquired 30-year old righty reliever Luis Ayala from the Nationals for infielder Anderson Hernandez. Ayala is having a rough year in 2008 but he could turn things around for the Mets as he is very talented. Ayala has pitched in 62 games (0 starts) for the Nationals this season and he is 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Maybe a change of scenery will get Ayala back to where he needs to be. Ayala has now pitched in 320 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 27-32 with 9 saves, a 3.33 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Ayala will definately help the back end of the bullpen for the Mets. Anderson Hernandez was a throwaway “prospect” for the Mets. The 25-year old switch hitting Hernandez has played in 125 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 97 for 479 (.203 avg, .569 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 5 homers, 36 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Not exactly sterling numbers in AAA. Hernandez finished his career with the Mets having played in 35 games in which he was 12 for 87 (.138 avg, .364 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. This was a great trade for the Mets.