Mets put Putz in Citi bullpen [Updated]

UPDATE - 11:17pm: MLB.com is reporting the deal is done.

The Seattle Mariners sent right-handed reliever J.J. Putz to the New York Mets on Wednesday night as part of a three-team, nine-player trade with the Cleveland Indians.

The Mariners receive right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first baseman Mike Carp from the Mets, along with outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians.

Smith will also go to Cleveland in the deal.

Omar, you never cease to impress.

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As if one All Star closer wasn't good enough, the Mets are apparently working on a deal for J.J. Putz.

Ken Rosenthal reports:

The Mets are working to acquire a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez — and that setup man would be another closer from the American League West.

J.J. Putz could be headed to the Mets in a three-team trade with the Mariners and Indians, according to major-league sources.

Mets right-hander Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first-base prospect Mike Carp would be in the deal, as would Indians outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.

The deal also would include one or more prospects, but it is not yet clear which players are headed where.

But Anthony Castrovince has a different story:

MLB.com has learned the Mariners would likely receive Indians outfielder Franklin Gutierrez and the Indians would receive Mets right-handed reliever Joe Smith and Mariners infielder Luis Valbuena.

Mets right-hander Aaron Heilman and Mariners outfielder Jeremy Reed are also believed to be involved, though it is unclear who is headed where.

I don't know how I feel about it. We already have K-Rod, but we do need someone to set up for him. The Mets really wouldn't be giving up a lot for this as Heilman is on his way out the door no matter what, Chavez is the fourth outfielder (remember Angel Pagan?) and Carp just never realized his full potential. At least not yet.

Smith is someone I would not want to part with, though.

I guess I could live with this, if it does go down.

Update - 10:08 pm: Jon Heyman believes the Mets could give up six (6!) players in this proposed trade.

The trade would involve 12 players in all.

He also notes that Putz struggled in 2008 and only registered 15 saves with a 3.88 ERA. For what the Mets will be giving up, this seems a little much. Six for one? Someone better sweeten this deal.

Update - 10:25pm: Putz is no spring chicken. He's 31-years-old, and strangely, was drafted three separate times.

Through Aug. 22 of the 2008 season, 34 games, Putz had a 9.78 ERA.

Update - 10:27 pm: Ken Rosenthal has more news:

Under terms of the deal, the Mets would get Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green from Seattle. The Mariners would receive reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first baseman Mike Carp from the Mets. They'd also get Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and minor leaguers. The Indians would get reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from Seattle.

OK. That makes a ton more sense for the Mets. The Indians look like they're getting screwed here.

Update - 10:31pm: David Lennon thinks the announcement could be coming soon.

The three teams are currently going over the medical records and a deal could be announced shortly.

Woah. Stay here for all the info.

Update - 10:34pm: Here are stats for Jeremy Reed and Sean Green.

The more I think about it, the more I like it. Heilman and Carp for Putz. Chavez for Reed. Smith for Green. I can live with it, as long as Putz is healthy.

Update - 11:08pm: Heyman is on WFAN with Steve Somers.

• Notes that the Mariners would look to use Heilman as a starter.
  
• Deal likely not done by 11pm Las Vegas time.
• Gives it 50/50 chance, but says all trades fall in there.
• Heilman, Chavez and Carp are all the players Heyman's heard about.
• No Smith, according to Heyman. Shmooze knows otherwise.
• Shmooze asks about Putz's elbow. Smart man. Knows his stuff.
  

They've moved on to CC Sabathia news. Nothing new from Heyman, really.

Francisco Rodriguez: By the numbers

Here are some numbers on the Mets new closer, Francisco Rodriguez.26: Age of K-Rod.

75: The number he will wear with the Mets. He used to wear 57, but Johan Santana already stakes claim to that. As I noted when he was signed, the most logical number for him to choose was 75. And he did.

37: Millions of dollars he will be paid over the next three years.

14: Millions of dollars the vesting option is worth for the fourth year.

62: Saves last year, the single season record.

7: Blown saves in 2008.

149: Saves over the last three seasons.

587: Career strikeouts.

23: Career wins.

17: Career loses.

2.35: Career ERA.

208: Career saves.

3: All Star experiences.

1: World Series ring.

91-94: General pitch speed range (mph).

451.7: Career innings pitched.

3.13: Postseason ERA.

.957: Career fielding percentage.

0: Career at bats.

1: Rich guy.

AP Photo

How about John Smoltz? [Updated]

I know I'll probably be crucified for this, but what about John Smoltz for the Mets?

Sure, the Mets need to get younger and Smoltz is 42-years-old. He won't be looking for more than a one-year deal, and has some veteran leadership the Mets will need in the bullpen.

He's also a lifetime Atlanta Brave, which would be weird.

Outside of injuries, age and price, what could go wrong?

Update - 12/10 3:19 pm: Per the Boston Globe:

Smoltz wants to pitch for a team that could take him to the World Series. He hopes that's Atlanta, but Smoltz is considering Boston, the New York Mets, and his hometown Detroit Tigers as possible destinations according to a major league source.

Playing hardball with the Braves, Smoltzy? I doubt he signs anywhere but Atlanta.

The article also notes Smoltz would like to be a starting pitcher in 2009.

Update - 7:56 pm: Via Steve Popper:

And on another note, there was a rumor reported earlier today that John Smoltz was interested in the Mets among a handful of other teams. And that would have been great for the Mets - except that according to what is reportedly Chipper Jones commenting on the blog of Atlanta Journal Constitution Braves beat writer Dave O'Brien, it isn't true at all.

Here's the response that Jones supposedly wrote:

By U Kno Who

December 10, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Dave—I can honestly say that I do not remember. Lot of stuff going on during that final weekend. Give me something else for your proof.

But I will tell you, Smoltzie is a little irked with this report saying he’s considering the Mets. He’s not going anywhere, guys.

Weird stuff.

Nice planning, Omar & Co.

David Lennon gives us a few inside tidbits on the Francisco Rodriguez signing. Here's the best:

When K-Rod and his agent, Paul Kinzer, had dinner with the Mets on Sunday night, they were pleasantly surprised when the team executives got a call from Johan Santana, who had no idea they were meeting with Rodriguez. K-Rod, a fellow Venezuelan, idolizes Santana and was thrilled that he called. The Mets handed the phone to K-Rod and the two talked. In retrospect, it was a turning point as Santana expressed his excitement that K-Rod could be closing games for him. The Mets blew seven saves for Santana last season.

Right...

If you're telling me that Santana just happened to call up Omar Minaya at the exact time they just happened to be having dinner with a fellow Venezuelan who just happens to idolize Santana, that's some nice luck and timing on the Mets side. Was Johan asking for Minaya's favorite cake recipe or how to get a gravy stain out of his favorite dress shirt? I don't think so.

What most likely really happened is that they told Santana it would be in the best interest of the team if he gave Minaya a ring around this time, just to chat of course. Well planned, everyone. Very smart and very sneaky. Whatever works.

Please no Juan Pierre

Per Ken Rosenthal:

The idea is a longshot, but the Mets have shown interest in trading for Pierre, the Dodgers' forgotten outfielder.

To move Pierre, the Dodgers would need to assume a large chunk of his remaining salary — $10 million in 2009, $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in '11.

The Mets' preference in left field is for a right-handed hitter, and Pierre hits from the left side. Where he ranks on the team's list of possibilities is not known.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are reluctant to move Pierre before knowing whether they will keep free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez.

Honestly, I think I'd prefer Andruw Jones.

Just...no. That's all I have to say about that.

Exit Sandman, enter Sandungueoso

Here is Francisco Rodriguez's 9th inning warmup music. Enjoy.



(There is no video. Don't worry. It's just the song with a black screen.)

Jon Heyman has lost his mind

Just read this first paragraph from Jon Heyman about Manny Ramirez and the New York Yankees.

LAS VEGAS -- Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner is said by people close to him to want Manny Ramirez in pinstripes. Unlike his father, who dreaded dreadlocks, Steinbrenner the junior is said by a Yankees person "not to give a (hoot) about his hair.''

Someone needs a nap or needs to lay off the cocktails.

Mets Rumor: Courting Chad Cordero?

Chad Cordero has long been an Omar Minaya favorite. The free agent, coming off of surgery on a torn labrum, will likely not be ready for the beginning of the season.

The Mets, Cardinals, Rangers, Tigers and Diamondbacks are five of the clubs Cordero plans to talk to. The Nationals, the team Cordero played for the last six years, are no longer in the mix.

According to the source, Cordero and his agent, Larry Reynolds, are planning to meet with Mets general manager Omar Minaya on Wednesday. The source didn't know when the other meetings were scheduled.

I have a feeling Omar will try his very best to sign him for roughly two years, if his arm is indeed all right.

Cordero could be the set up man the Mets are looking for, considering he also has a ton of closing experience and could be used in such situation if need be. Corder has notched 128 saves for the Expos/Nationals franchise since 2003.

Dan Graziano to leave The Star-Ledger

The leading baseball writer for my home paper is apparently leaving his post in a few weeks. Dan Graziano revealed in a recent online column that he will leave The Star-Ledger when 2008 expires.

If you're a subscriber to or follower of The Star-Ledger, you know things haven't been good there or anywhere else in the newspaper industry. You may or may not know or care that I'm leaving the paper at the end of the 2008 calendar year. (Yes, that's right. three weeks to go.) I have no idea what I'm doing next, but I'm hoping I won't disappear completely from your view or consciousness.

I've always read and enjoyed Graziano's work. He sometimes had a Yankees slant, but he was usually very objective and thorough. He was one of the first writers that got me into reading and following baseball at a somewhat obsessive level.

I will miss his work. Hopefully he starts up a blog or something.

The newspaper industry is tanking. I sure picked the right major.

My thoughts on the Francisco Rodriguez signing

Though this soap opera didn't take nearly as long as the Johan Santana courting of 2007-2008, the Mets and Francisco Rodriguez agreed to a three-year contract on Tuesday, much to the relief (get it?) of Mets fans.

My first thought: Well done, Omar Minaya.

Paul Kinzer, K-Rod's agent, had originally set the bar at five-years, $75 million. To get possibly the games best closer for three-years and $37 million (with a vesting option for a fourth year, worth $14 million) is a great job by Minaya & Co.

That makes it two years in a row he has gone out and landed his No. 1 free agent. Now if only the Mets could make the darn playoffs.

My second thought: The decreased velocity thing was overhyped.

How would you expect to sign a man coming off a year where he set the single season saves records for a lot less than he originally demanded? Make up stories about his arm.

Sure, it's a documented fact that he has lost a mile per hour or two off his fastball. Yes, he isn't throwing his slider as much as some may like. But he can still throw in the mid-90's consistently and has developed a changeup, which Torii Hunter called "The Equalizer."

If the Angels, or any other team for that matter, had wanted to sign K-Rod, they could leak a story about his arm and his velocity in a hope his price would come down and they could make a play for him. The Mets should find out today if everything is in working order, as Rodriguez is supposedly in New York (or en route) for his team physical before the signing is announced.

My third thought: Bring on the celebrations!

K-Rod is exciteable, there is no doubt about that. If you've never seen him celebrate a save, just wait until you see what he does after making that final out. There's screaming, fist pumping and great facial expressions, all while usually in the crouch position.

If you have a problem with Jose Reyes' celebrationg (I'm looking at you, Philadelphia) then prepare for a whole other level of anger. K-Rod is one of the more brash, in-your-face type players in the MLB. When he beats you, he'll let you know about it. I'm just glad this guy is pitching for my team.

Finally: Great signing.

Even though he's yet to throw a pitch for the Mets (and will likely be hurt by June with this teams luck) this is a great signing. Minaya filled his biggest hole with the biggest free agent in that market. And he really didn't overpay, no matter what anyone tells you.

Minaya is slowly putting together what could be the right team to make a run at the World Series. There are still a few screws missing from this current team, but he's getting around to it all. Eventually.