J.J. Putz Rumors

Mets Will Try To Trade For Bullpen Help

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 29, 2008 at 10:34am CST]

The New York Times has sources who say the Mets will look to improve their bullpen through trades before starting more involved discussions with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. According to the article, the Mets have had discussions with various teams about trading for Jose Valverde, J.J. Putz, Huston Street and Bobby Jenks and are considering free agent relievers Kerry Wood and Trevor Hoffman. Even if the Mets add one of these relievers, they could still sign K-Rod or Fuentes in their efforts to completely remodel their bullpen. This week Mets GM Omar Minaya said Fuentes' asking price was "a... Continue Reading

Mets Rumors: K-Rod, Dye, Vazquez

By Tim Dierkes [November 25, 2008 at 6:22pm CST]

6:22pm: According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, Minaya has reached out to K-Rod and Fuentes. He says the Mets prefer free agency to trading. We also have a rumor from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He says the Mets offered Aaron Heilman to the Rockies for Street shortly after Colorado acquired him. The Rox wanted the Mets to add Pedro Feliciano, and the Mets refused. MetsBlog has more insight into the team's plans. 1:33pm: Rounding up today's Mets rumors... On Friday, David Lennon of Newsday said the Mets had received Francisco Rodriguez's medical records. He also had Omar Minaya... Continue Reading

Mets Rumors: Castillo, Heilman, Putz

By Tim Dierkes [November 21, 2008 at 10:21am CST]

The latest on the Mets... Joel Sherman of the New York Post says Luis Castillo met with the Mets and implored them to keep him. Castillo said he'll get into shape this winter. The Mets will still consider trade possibilities, but a deal doesn't seem likely. David Lennon of Newsday reports that Aaron Heilman called Omar Minaya yesterday to request a move to the rotation. The Mets are still opposed to it. Lennon adds that the Mets have received Francisco Rodriguez's medical records. Sherman says the Mets don't even want to do four years for K-Rod though. Tracy Ringolsby says... Continue Reading

Stark's Latest: Putz, Manny, Lackey, Ibanez

By Tim Dierkes [November 20, 2008 at 12:07pm CST]

Let's take a look at the latest column from ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark does the math and finds 15 potentially available closers versus six clubs in the market for one. Should result in a few bargains or teams holding on to their surpluses. The Mets don't seem willing to extend to four years for Francisco Rodriguez. Stark says J.J. Putz would become the Mets' top closer target if he's made available. MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone wrote a few days ago that the Mets are likely to trade for a reliever with closing experience before attempting to sign one. J.P. Ricciardi quote:... Continue Reading

Closer Roundup: K-Rod, Fuentes, Wood, Hoffman

By Alex Walsh [November 16, 2008 at 6:35pm CST]

Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes a look at the sudden surplus of potentially available closers in major league baseball, a situation that certainly benefits the Mets considering their need to upgrade the bullpen this offseason. Two free agent closers that seemed destined to retire with their 2008 teams, Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, now appear to be more available than was expected in October. That pair, along with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, give the Mets and other teams several options in free agency. Other relief pitchers with experience in the 9th inning have been recently mentioned... Continue Reading

Mets Closer Plan Starts With Free Agents

By Tim Dierkes [November 13, 2008 at 10:22am CST]

Let's try to decipher the Mets' strategy for acquiring a new closer. Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the Mets will pursue a free agent out of the gate, perhaps with Brian Fuentes ranked above Francisco Rodriguez on their list. Still, K-Rod's agent noted that they're not "wedded" to a five-year deal, and he didn't toss the reported $15MM demand out there. Hubbuch believes the Mets will move on to trade targets such as Bobby Jenks and Huston Street if they fail to sign Fuentes or Rodriguez. Ken Davidoff and David Lennon mention J.J. Putz as well, while... Continue Reading

Tigers Rumors: Tazawa, Putz

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 9, 2008 at 10:12am CST]

According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Detroit Tigers are interested in Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa. Morosi lists the Red Sox, Mariners, Braves and Phillies as other potential suitors for the 22-year-old. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Morosi that it's "too early to tell" whether the club will pursue Tazawa aggresively. Though Morosi doesn't think the Tigers have a great chance of signing Tazawa, their chances of signing Japanese players have gone up since they hired Kevin Hooker to co-ordinate their Pacific Rim scouting. Morosi also wonders whether the Tigers would part with Matt Joyce or Jeff Larish in a deal... Continue Reading

Full Story | Comments (15) | Categories: Detroit Tigers | J.J. Putz | Junichi Tazawa

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

By Tim Dierkes [November 7, 2008 at 1:11pm CST]

The Mets' primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen. Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman outline Plan A: free agents. Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero. Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren't looking for a closer. Plan B: trades. The Mets have already discussed Bobby Jenks with the White Sox. J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names. It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice. As a... Continue Reading

Tigers Rumors: Gregg, Putz, Ordonez

By Tim Dierkes [November 5, 2008 at 1:53pm CST]

Tigers beat writer Jon Paul Morosi has been doing a fine job, with new articles here, here, and here. Let's discuss. Morosi reasons that the Tigers' 2009 closer will come from outside of the organization, probably via trade. His top three candidates: Kevin Gregg, Huston Street, and J.J. Putz. As a free agent after '09, Gregg would fit nicely with the Tigers' long-term plans. The Tigers and Marlins have matched up often on trades. However, Morosi notes that Gregg had critical words for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, who would become his teammates again. Putz would make for a great... Continue Reading

Mets Rumors: Wolf, Fuentes, K-Rod, Street, Pedro

By Tim Dierkes [November 4, 2008 at 11:37am CST]

11:37am: SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Mets are eyeing Randy Wolf, in addition to Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez. Heyman adds that some Mets people are concerned about their catching, but others aren't thrilled with the free agent options. 9:20am: All kinds of Mets rumors this morning. Let's begin with the closer situation. The Mets are interested in Brian Fuentes, but Omar Minaya will not rule out Francisco Rodriguez. He makes a great point: contract numbers are tossed around early, but the player often fails to reach that amount. Joel Sherman says the Mets also want to speak to the... Continue Reading

LaRue's Latest: Manny, Ibanez, Putz

By Tim Dierkes [November 4, 2008 at 11:22am CST]

Larry LaRue of The News Tribune has several new rumors... Scott Boras has floated an asking price for Manny Ramirez that begins at $27MM per year. It seems that the Dodgers may be willing to offer that salary for two years, but Boras wants a significantly longer term. The Cubs and Mets expressed interest to Raul Ibanez's agent. Does this mean the Cubs are comfortable with the idea of Ibanez in right field? The Tigers crave a closer, and J.J. Putz may be a target. Putz will earn $5MM in '09 with an $8.6MM option for '10. Continue Reading

Mets To Explore Trade For Closer

By Tim Dierkes [October 28, 2008 at 8:52am CST]

Ken Davidoff of Newsday has a new article up discussing possibilities for the Mets' closer vacancy. He says the Mets will check in on free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, but remain wary of the price. I'm wondering if K-Rod will have to back off the five year demand if he wants to get multiple serious bidders. Davidoff says the Mets feel that they have the minor league depth to swing a trade for a closer rather than buy one. Davidoff goes on to speculate that the Mets could look at J.J. Putz, Huston Street, George Sherrill, Joakim Soria,... Continue Reading

Lefty Relievers: Ohman, Grabow, Eyre, Mahay

By Tim Dierkes [July 31, 2008 at 2:50pm CST]

2:50pm: Stark says Ohman's probably staying put despite interest from ten teams. 2:39pm: Buster Olney says the Phillies will probably come up empty on a lefty reliever. 2:02pm: Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald says the Braves asked for a pitching prospect for Ohman, and the Red Sox passed. Mahay remains a possibility. 1:07pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman says the Braves could keep Ohman. So far they're not finding offers superior to the supplemental draft pick they could get after the season. THURSDAY, 12:24pm: Jayson Stark has the Yanks and Red Sox battling for Eyre. WEDNESDAY, 11:50pm: Let's talk lefty relievers.... Continue Reading

Mets In Holding Pattern

By Tim Dierkes [July 31, 2008 at 8:39am CST]

8:39am: SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Mets have "kicked around" the idea of acquiring Ian Snell from the Pirates and using him in relief for the rest of the year. Snell is signed through 2010 with club options for '11 and '12. It's tough to see the Bucs moving him, even in an off year. 8:13am: According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets are not finding a deal to their liking for a reliever or outfielder. They've put pretty much all of their good prospects off-limits - Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, Eddie Kunz or Bobby Parnell. Players such as... Continue Reading

Graziano's Latest: Dunn, Putz, Laird

By Tim Dierkes [July 30, 2008 at 11:54am CST]

Time to check in with Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger. Graziano calls Adam Dunn "the man without a rumor." Even with his flaws this one is hard to figure out. [UPDATE: SI.com's Jon Heyman is finally hearing a couple of teams are in on Dunn.] John Maine's rotator cuff strain has the Mets looking at pitching. Graziano suggests names like Livan Hernandez, Paul Byrd, and Jarrod Washburn. The Mets have talked to the Tigers about Scott Schoeneweis. They'd have to replace him, maybe with Arthur Rhodes or Eddie Guardado. The Mariners will listen on J.J. Putz, but he won't... Continue Reading

Tim Brown's Latest: Peralta, McPherson, Putz

By Tim Dierkes [July 22, 2008 at 10:34pm CST]

Yahoo's Tim Brown posted a new column this evening. The Nationals got an OK return for Jon Rauch, acquiring second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. That could set the pace for reasonable reliever prices. The Indians are listening on Casey Blake, Paul Byrd, and Jamey Carroll, as you know. Jhonny Peralta isn't off-limits either. Here's a new name of interest for the Dodgers: Marlins minor league third baseman Dallas McPherson. He'll be 28 soon, and carries a .287/.400/.650 line with 32 home runs in 314 Triple A at-bats. This could be the second time McPherson blasts 40 home runs in a minor... Continue Reading