by Jason Guarente , Intelligencer Journal /Lancaster New Era

The team has agreed to contract terms with former big league closer Antonio Alfonseca, who last appeared in the majors with the Phillies in 2007.

"He's a 10-year veteran and he wants to get back to the big leagues," head of Baseball operations Keith Lupton said. "He thinks the Atlantic League is the best way to do that."

Alfonseca's arrival was only the beginning of the transactions frenzy.

The Barnstormers are expected to lose closer Ryan Cullen to Taiwan. The lefty was 4-3 with a 2.08 ERA and seven saves, but he decided to take a more lucrative contract offer overseas. He represented Lancaster in the All-Star Game Tuesday night.

The team didn't waste much time re-working its staff. Righthander Nick Abel and Lefty Neal Musser were signed as two other players departed.

The Barnstormers traded reliever Joe D'Alessandro to the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League in exchange for future considerations. Reliever Spike Lundberg has retired.

Alfonseca, 37, remained the big news. Assuming his contract is finalized, he will become one of the longest-tenured major leaguers to ever play for the Barnstormers. He has a lifetime 4.11 ERA and 129 saves in the big leagues, including 45 for the Marlins in 2000.

"I think he's got a very good chance of getting back if he continues to stay healthy and works hard," Lupton said. "He seems to have the desire. That's for sure."

It remains to be seen if Alfonseca will take over as closer. The 6-5, 250-pound righthander did not pitch in 2008, but he played winter ball and was in the Mexican League at the start of the summer schedule. He went 0-1 with a 12.46 ERA for Pericos de Puebla.

As for the other newcomers, Abel, 26, was released by the Mets earlier this month after going 1-1 with a 10.44 ERA with Class AA Binghamton. Musser, 28, was cut by the Astros in April after he posted a 5.14 ERA in four games for Class AAA Round Rock.

While those two will fill out the staff, replacing Cullen remains a tough task.

The Barnstormers have been blessed with elite closers throughout their history, including Scott Patterson - now in Class AAA with the San Diego Padres - Charlie Weatherby, Derrick DePriest and Cullen.

They'll need to fill that role with another good pitcher if they're to realize their goal of contending in the second half. Lancaster is 27-28, nine games behind first-place Somerset. It will resume play tonight at Southern Maryland. The second half begins July 10.

"Our questions surround the bullpen, especially the stopper category," Lupton said.

The Barnstormers hope Alfonseca, two years removed from the Phillies , can be the answer.

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