J.J. Putz as a set up man

J.J. Putz was an All Star closer only two years ago. Now he'll be the primary set up man for another All Star closer. Coming off of seeing years of Billy Wagner sometimes pitching in a non-save situation, I must say I'm a little worried.

Mel Stottlemyre seems to agree with me.

Anthony McCarron talked to Stottlemyre about Putz, since he was Seattle's pitching coach last year.

His mentality is that of a closer," Stottlemyre said. "If I had any question marks about how he handles New York, it's adjusting to the new role. J.J. will have to find himself comfortable as a setup man. He has the pitches and the capability.

"I've always questioned people who are closers for a long time, how they adapt to the new role. And he likes to be the guy. He gets an extra bit of adrenaline going when he's pitching the ninth inning. But the fact that he's going to a club expected to win and that has every capability to win with that lineup, that'll ease the situation for him."

I can remember times with Wagner coming in to a game when the Mets were up by four or five, and then having to sweat out the last few outs because he let in three runs already and there was a player standing on second base.

Hopefully Putz can translate well into the set up role, because it'd be a shame to watch the leads disappear in the 8th inning instead of the 9th next season. Maybe he was paying attention to the NL East last season, and knows how dire the Mets need is for a solid bullpen, so he'll step it up in the 8th inning. You never know!

Putz will be introduced on Thursday, with Francisco Rodriguez being welcomed in on Wednesday at the Christmas Party with Mike "Santa" Pelfrey.