So lets say I'm Omar Minaya, general manager for the New York Mets. I have the largest payroll in the National League, the best pitcher in baseball, and two of the ten best hitters in baseball. Sure I haven't helped get my team to the postseason in two years.. but its the offseason! The winter meetings, I can remedy that right now! I have the money and the prospects to make some noise right here in Vegas! I just signed the best closer in baseball in K-Rod, things are looking up my friends! Let's keep the ball rolling... and trade for JJ Putz!Wait, JJ Putz? Really? The former Mariners closer who spent nearly all of last season either injured or blowing saves? You want him to come in and be your set up guy.. rather than using Schoeneweis or Feliciano like you had been for a couple years (and its worked). You traded Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Joe Smith and FOUR minor leaguers as part of a three-team, twelve-player deal... FOR JJ PUTZ???
Does this remind anyone of the Red Sox trade for Eric Gagne in '07? When the Mets signed K-Rod, they basically put themselves back into position to be the Mets from opening day last season. Great closer out, new great closer in. Still lots of holes on the roster. And their big follow-up move is to deal two pitchers, a local legend (have you seen this catch?), and prospects for a pitcher on his way down after being incredible for a couple years (well, they did also receive P Sean Green and OF Jeremy Reed in the trade)... as a Braves fan I like it, but as a baseball fan I don't think I quite understand it. Putz is an incredible talent who came into last season one of the best closers in baseball, but he ended the season as a middle reliever who had lost it. It'll be interesting to see if he can return to form, the Mets appear to be banking on it.Putz's 2008 Stats: 6-5, 3.88ERA, 15/23 in save opportunities, 46IP
More fun news out of Vegas:
- The Cleveland Indians have signed former Cubs closer Kerry Wood to a 2 year deal worth $20 million. The perpetually-injured Wood had a resurgent year in 2008 as a dominant closer for the division-winning Cubs, but did spend a considerable amount of time on the disabled list. Ten million a year is definitely over paying for the amount of innings Wood is likely to give you, but he's still one of the most talented pitchers in baseball. I personally hope, for his sake, that he finds success in Cleveland.
- The Washington Nationals have made a play for Maryland native and former Brave Mark Teixeira. They've reportedly offered him an 8 year, $160M deal. I know he wasn't in Atlanta very long, but I just don't enjoy the idea of playing against Tex over a dozen times a year for the next decade. But oh well, we've got Kotchman!
- Also the Yankees appear set to send disappointing outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Brewers for gold glove-winner Mike Cameron. This move should come as no surprise after the Yankees expressed interest in the former Met earlier this offseason, and that Cameron became good friends with newly-signed Yankee CC Sabathia during their time in Milwaukee. Cameron, an Georgia native, missed the first couple of months of last season after being suspended for using a banned substance. A potential outfield of Matsui, Nady, Cameron and Swisher apperas imminent for the Yankees, who seem to be on solid starting pitcher away from contending again.
1 comments. Leave Your Own!:
Putz isn't horrible, but it is a really strange move. All these teams to bring a mediocre reliever to the Mets. I kinda expect more. Putz could turn it around next year, but if he doesn't expect the boo-birds early and often.
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