Latest news with #DylanLee
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
As a downtown Wilmington bridge needs repairs, city searches for more bids
The city of Wilmington is continuing its search for a bridge rehabilitation contractor after rejecting all previous bids. Wilmington City Council adopted a resolution rejecting all construction bids for the rehabilitation of Front Street Bridge at a meeting on June 17. The bridge, which runs through the Cape Fear Community College campus between Red Cross and Hanover streets, was originally built in 1965. Two bids were received for the project and the lower bidder did not meet the necessary N.C. Department of Transportation prequalification for the scope of work of the project. The second bidder was significantly over the project's overall budget. This is the second round of bidding for the project, with an insufficient number of bids received in April. Become a subscriber: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the StarNews app Council member Charlie Rivenbark questioned why an unqualified contractor was able to bid on the project. Project manager Kyle Burden said the project is particularly complex, triggering additional code requirements. The project must adhere to NCDOT's prequalification codes regarding concrete structures, painting steel structures and welding. The project is still expected to begin work in the fall, Wilmington Assistant Director of Corporate Affairs Dylan Lee said. There are no safety concerns with the current bridge, and it will remain open until construction begins. The Front Street Bridge rehabilitation project includes a full deck replacement and repairs to existing bent pedestals. The steel members of the bridge will also undergo cleaning, painting and repairs. The bridge has an annual average daily traffic count of 5,100 vehicles. Improvements are also planned along South Front Street near the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. NCDOT has proposed widening the stretch of the roadway from Kentucky Avenue to Dawson Street. The roadway would be widened to four lanes and include a median and a 10-foot multiuse path. The project also encompasses the intersection at South Front Street, Burnett Boulevard and Carolina Beach Road. The intersection would be converted into a double quadrant intersection, reducing congestion and travel time by prohibiting all left turns. Left-turning drivers would be rerouted to a connector street and make a series of right turns. A design alternative is being considered to shift a portion of the Wilmington Terminal Railroad out of the middle of South Front Street. The design would remove one of the two existing railroad crossings along the project corridor. Improvements are being designed to minimize potential impacts to the Wilmington Historic District. The total cost of the project is $31.6 million and construction is expected to begin in 2027. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What to know about Front Street Bridge repairs in Wilmington, NC
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Fantasy bullpen report: MLB trade primer, including buyers, sellers and fence-sitters
With just over a month until the trade deadline, this week, I'm including a sneak preview of bullpen needs and how teams in each league might handle looming personnel decisions. However, how teams approach their rosters over the next five weeks could dramatically change based on outcomes up to that point. Advertisement Since my last post, Will Vest returned to action but has not secured a save since his injury scare. Orion Kerkering has not recorded his second MLB save, and Dylan Lee has taken over as the preferred save option in Atlanta. White Sox rookie Grant Taylor notched his first career save on Sunday but entered Wednesday's contest during the seventh inning. I love Taylor's talent, but trusting the leverage machinations of manager Will Venable will test the patience of many fantasy managers and analysts alike, including myself. Luke Weaver made an earlier-than-expected return from the IL, only missing three weeks, and manager Aaron Boone said save situations will be shared between him and Devin Williams. In the first game with both pitchers appearing, Weaver faced the Reds' 2-3-4 lineup pocket, and Williams secured the save. Plan on Weaver going against the opponent's toughest lineup pockets regardless of the inning, which means 'Airbender' may get the majority of save chances. A 65-to-35 split could ensue for the remainder of the season. With this in mind, our leverage pathways have been updated. Here are our high-leverage pathway identifiers. Each team will receive one of the following labels: Access The Athletic's guide for abbreviations used in fantasy baseball. As promised, here are my early thoughts about how teams will handle the trade deadline, using Fangraphs' playoff odds (through June 25). Detroit Tigers: Although the team does not overpay at the deadline, it could focus on veteran relievers with playoff experience, just not likely those at the top of the market. Alex Lange could also be activated in the coming weeks — he's currently rehabbing in the minors. Houston Astros: With a closer and one of MLB's best setup relievers on the roster, plus a bevy of left-handed reliever options, getting a right-handed reliever capable of locking down the seventh inning would be a priority. But like other teams, someone within reason. Advertisement New York Yankees: Depth options for setting up Weaver and Williams will be necessary for a postseason push, and if the relievers were controllable, it would make even more sense since their two best relievers are pending free agents at the end of the season. Seattle Mariners: Having Andrés Muñoz signed with cost-effective club options and Matt Brash rounding into form provides the team with options, but it needs a reliable veteran. Think Phil Maton, if he's available. Tampa Bay Rays: Never count out the Rays, especially given how the team continually churns through its leverage ladder seeking under-the-radar arms with minor league options and controllable years before arbitration. Would the team move Pete Fairbanks despite his club option for 2026? Everything remains on the table with this franchise. Toronto Blue Jays: Getting Jeff Hoffman into his early-season form and Yimi García healthy would drastically improve this bullpen. If those two things don't happen, Toronto may have to get into the closer sweepstakes at the deadline, a costly proposition. Boston Red Sox: If they sell, teams will be lining up for 2026 free agents Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson. Cleveland Guardians: It's tough imagining any significant turnover in this leverage ladder since it's a strength. However, if it's a seller's market, could Emmanuel Clase be moved? There were discussions about him this spring. Stay tuned. Kansas City Royals: The Royals are another team with limited options to trade and are more likely to retool for next year. Minnesota Twins: In a tough division, the team likely does not move any of the relievers in its leverage triumvirate. Texas Rangers: With the season in limbo and injuries throughout the roster, if they decide to sell, veterans Chris Martin, Luke Jackson and Hoby Milner would be attractive targets for contenders. All three are free agents at the end of 2025. Advertisement Baltimore Orioles: I have seen reports suggesting Félix Bautista could be moved, but I do not think it will happen. But, Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto have been lights out this month, and as pending free agents, they are attractive targets for teams seeking veteran setup relievers for the playoffs. Chicago White Sox: Not only do I have no idea who will be getting save chances, but how the team handles the trade deadline will also be interesting. Tyler Alexander could be moved as a hybrid reliever for a team seeking left-handed depth options. Los Angeles Angels: Trading Reid Detmers feels like selling low, but he could be moved if the price is right. Kenley Jansen does not like being in a setup role or sharing save opportunities, so I'm not sure he can or will be moved despite being a free agent at the end of the year. The Athletics: The A's are another team with a solid left-handed reliever — T.J. McFarland — available as a pending free agent. Following the groundbreaking in Las Vegas, trading Mason Miller may not be the best look, but he could command a tremendous return from a contender seeking a flame-throwing closer. Moving to the National League, here's how I think teams may handle the trade deadline, using Fangraphs' playoff odds (through June 25). Chicago Cubs: With Daniel Palencia currently filling the closer role, the Cubs may prefer acquiring a veteran with closing experience for a deep postseason run. Ryan Pressly is not the answer. Los Angeles Dodgers: Not sure the team would target a top reliever, but adding depth after losing Evan Phillips makes sense. However, getting Blake Treinen back for the second half would significantly improve this leverage ladder. Advertisement Milwaukee Brewers: Adding a closer goes against this franchise's mantra. Perhaps a veteran reliever or another southpaw makes sense, but nothing splashy, unless injuries dictate otherwise. New York Mets: Edwin Díaz has bounced back to dominant form, but improving the pathway to him makes sense. He can opt out at the end of the season, making the team's handling of the trade deadline very intriguing. Philadelphia Phillies: With Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm currently splitting save chances, it's apparent the team will, again, add relievers ahead of the trade deadline. However, when prospect Andrew Painter arrives, Ranger Suárez or another starter could move back into the bullpen. San Francisco Giants: Current closer Camilo Doval has been struggling this month (2.18 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against eight walks and a 4.64 SIERA through 11 innings). Offense may be a priority, but acquiring a veteran with closer experience may also be on the agenda if they are still in contention a month from now. If they do not add anyone, stashing Randy Rodríguez is advisable — he's the best reliever on this roster. Arizona Diamondbacks: Teams could do one-stop shopping in this bullpen with Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks being free agents at the end of the season. Although the general manager maintains that the Diamondbacks plan on contending for the playoffs, the rash of injuries may force them into being sellers. Atlanta Braves: It's odd seeing Atlanta in this situation, especially given its recent hot stretch. Things can change on a dime, just ask Raisel Iglesias. He could be moved if the team sells, or he could be displaced if they add. Dylan Lee has posted a minuscule 0.37 WHIP while allowing one unearned run over his past 12 games, with 17 strikeouts versus one walk (34.8 K-BB%). He's the preferred save share, and if Dylan Dodd can handle left-handed hitting pockets in a setup capacity, it frees up Lee for the majority of save chances until the deadline. Cincinnati Reds: Cincinnati is another team in flux, but a run at the postseason could ensue if the Reds can find consistent production with the offense. However, if they decide to sell, Emilio Pagán, a pending free agent at the end of the season, would be an attractive option as a setup reliever on many teams in contention. Advertisement San Diego Padres: Would the team entertain moving Robert Suarez? He has an opt-out at the end of the season, which may make this decision easier if they are in the playoff hunt in four weeks. St. Louis Cardinals: Despite the team remaining on the periphery of the playoff picture, it must decide whether to sign Ryan Helsley or trade him. If Helsley goes, so does Maton, and this leaves Andre Granillo as a potential fill-in at closer in August. Colorado Rockies: Jake Bird and Tyler Kinley may not move the needle from a fantasy perspective, but they would be solid targets for the sixth or seventh innings on a contending team. Miami Marlins: If the return continues the in-process rebuild, anyone should be available. Pittsburgh Pirates: This team should maximize David Bednar's recent surge, though his hometown appeal makes it difficult. He and Dennis Santana are under team control through the end of 2026, enhancing their appeal on the trade market. If they both get moved, Isaac Mattson could emerge as an option for saves. Washington Nationals: He's not sexy, but Kyle Finnegan can handle the seventh or eighth innings for a playoff contender. Brad Lord has shown flashes as a reliever and lines up as the potential fill-in if the team's closer gets moved. *Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios. Statistical Credits: and Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates. (Top photo of Emmanuel Clase: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Dylan Lee emerges as closer candidate for Braves, who are winning and need one
NEW YORK — Because the Atlanta Braves scored five runs in the sixth inning and two in the eighth Tuesday, turning a 3-0 deficit into a 7-4 win against the New York Mets, there wasn't a highly pressurized situation in which to bring in a reliever in the ninth inning. But next time there is one, don't be surprised if it's left-hander Dylan Lee, who's been one of baseball's hottest relievers and showed in Monday's series opener that he's ready for the most stressful game-on-the-line moments. Advertisement 'I'd be happy just giving (Lee) the ball and having him pitch the whole game at this point,' said Braves starter Spencer Strider, who allowed three runs in five innings Tuesday, all the runs coming in the fourth when he issued three of his four walks. Strider was kidding about Lee to make a point. 'He's one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball, really, if you want to just cut to it,' Strider said. 'Just so confident and calm and collected every time he's out there in any situation. Just sticks to his strengths. I think he's a guy that really understands who he is and never tries to get outside of himself. And he's a Swiss Army knife. I don't think there's a role you could put him in that he wouldn't be successful.' Busy night at the ballpark!#BravesCountry — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 25, 2025 There was a save situation Tuesday, but it frankly was one of those that gives the stat a bad name. After Enyel De Los Santos allowed a double and single with one out in the ninth, the Braves turned to their former star closer, Raisel Iglesias, with runners on the corners and a four-run lead. Iglesias gave up a one-run double but got two outs and a save. That preserved the win for Strider on a steamy night — 97 degrees, highest first-pitch temperature in Citi Field history — when Braves hitters did heavy damage against Mets relievers, including Matt Olson's three RBIs via a sixth-inning single and eighth-inning double. It was the ninth win in 12 games for the Braves, the majors' second-best record in that span. It was the 10th loss in 11 games for the Mets, including losses in all five games against the Braves, whose offense has finally awakened. 'It feels like our brand of baseball,' said Olson, who's hit .304 with 14 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs in the past 25 games. 'The pitching staff has just been solid all year. It's kind of been the difference of just rolling some stuff together on offense.' Advertisement For the Braves, it's now a staggering 28 wins in the past 38 games against the Mets since August 2022. But don't suggest to Olson that they have a mental edge over their NL East rivals, who still are eight games ahead of the third-place Braves, with the first-place Philadelphia Phillies holding a 9 1/2-game lead over Atlanta. 'No, that's a really good team over there,' Olson said of the Mets, who had the NL's best record before the Braves swept them last week and still have a 27-12 home record that's tied for baseball's best. 'It's a very talented group, guys that play hard, play the right way. We love squaring off against them whether it's here or (Atlanta). No, it's just … no, no edge.' Closer remains an unresolved situation for Atlanta but is getting a little less so because of Lee. As recently as last week, Braves manager Brian Snitker said Iglesias was progressing toward a return to the closer role and indicated it would be best for the team if he were to regain his confidence and form and get back in that job. But that was then, and this was Tuesday afternoon. The night before, Lee got the last four outs of a series-opening 3-2 win including striking out Juan Soto to end the eighth with two runners on — the biggest out of the game — after Iglesias allowed a pair of two-out singles. Lee entered to face Soto, struck him out swinging at a 3-2 slider to end the inning and clean up Iglesias' mess, then retired all three Mets in the ninth for the save. That extended Lee's scoreless streak to 12 appearances, during which the big left-hander has 17 strikeouts with one walk and an .089 opponents' batting average (4-for-45) in 13 2/3 innings. Does Snitker still think the bullpen would be best served with Iglesias eventually back as closer? 'You know what, I don't know, now that Dylan's surfaced,' Snitker said a few hours before Tuesday's game, the outcome of which presumably did nothing other than shift the momentum more toward Lee and away from Iglesias. Advertisement The Braves mustered three hits and three walks in five scoreless innings Tuesday against Frankie Montas, who made his Mets debut after missing three months with a lat strain. He had a 12.05 ERA in six rehab starts but didn't give up an extra-base hit or run against the Braves. But they teed off in the sixth against relievers Huascar Brazobán, José Castillo and Reed Garrett, in that order, with Olson's two-out, two-run single off Garrett giving Atlanta its first lead, 5-3, in a game it had trailed 3-0 after five. Snitker said before the game that Lee would likely be unavailable after getting the last four outs Monday and that the Braves might continue going with matchups and who's available and has the hot hand. But for some time now, Lee has had the hot hand in a bullpen with some of the proven, high-leverage relievers from last year hurt or gone as free agents. Lee, 30, has become one of those high-leverage guys. His fastball velocity has increased during the season — it topped out at 96.7 mph Monday and averaged 94.9 mph, up 2 mph over his season average — while his command has improved with both the heater and outstanding slider. 'The command and the confidence,' Snitker said of Lee's improvement in his fourth full MLB season, all with the Braves after he was released by the Miami Marlins before ever pitching in the majors. Lee said, 'I've been trying to work hard and keep earning my spot every year to be a part of this bullpen.' He's surpassed all reasonable expectations, posting a 1.98 ERA in 88 appearances since the beginning of last season, the only lefty reliever in the majors to post a sub-2.00 ERA in 75 or more appearances over that span. He's been even better this season, pitching in more big situations and thriving with a 1.77 ERA in 36 appearances, seventh lowest in the majors among 107 relievers with at least 30 innings before Tuesday. His 0.81 WHIP was 10th among that group. Advertisement 'Just the experience is what makes a lot of that happen,' Snitker said, 'and it's like, 'I can compete here. I can produce at this level.' And I think once you get over that, then all of a sudden you start adding, and that's, I think, where you see the spike in (his) stuff. It's confidence.' Lee has allowed only five hits off 298 sliders this season, four or more fewer hits against sliders than any other pitcher who's thrown as many as he has. None was bigger than the one he threw to Soto on Monday for the swinging strike three. 'It was awesome,' Lee said. 'I'm glad I got the opportunity and Snit believed in me, that I was able to do it.' So, about that closer role … 'I think it's more going to come down to where we're at in the lineup as to who closes the game,' Snitker said, before adding of Lee, 'He's been going through the teeth of most lineups pretty regular. And he's not a matchup guy; I think his numbers are probably better off against right-handers than he is against lefties.' Indeed, Lee has the reverse splits that make it easy to use him in any situation: He's held right-handed batters to a puny .147 average and .444 OPS in 73 plate appearances, while lefties have hit .204 with a .662 OPS in 59 plate appearances. With runners in scoring position, hitters are just 3-for-25 (.120) against Lee with five walks and 12 strikeouts, and in any situation with runners on base, he's allowed a .128 average and .427 OPS. Four of five homers off him have been solo shots. 'It might be where sometimes in order to win the game and get us to the eighth and ninth, we've got to use Dylan in the seventh (inning) in tough spots,' Snitker said. 'So I just think we're gonna do it and match it up the best we can to try and win the game.' They didn't need Lee to win Tuesday. But the Braves will need a closer soon and often if they keep playing as they have recently. And right now, Lee has put himself in position to get that call more often than not.
