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The New York Mets have reportedly said that they will not pick up the $8.1 million option for JJ Putz next season.
They have instead opted to buy his contract out for $1 million, making him a free agent.
It was just one season ago that Putz was considered a top closer in the American League. He was also the centerpiece of the trade that netted the Seattle Mariners CF Franklin Gutierrez, 1B Mike Carp, OF Endy Chavez, P Garrett Olson, and INF Ronny Cedeno (later used in a trade for SS Jack Wilson, and SP Ian Snell), among others.
He quickly fell off the radar in the National League, while the Mariners found a diamond in the rough from a trade with Boston in top AL closer David Aardsma, who posted 38 saves in his career year.
With the Mets JJ Putz posted a 1-4 record, 5.22 ERA, and two saves in only 29.1 innings of work last year in the Set Up role.
Keep in mind though, Aardsma posted a 5.72 career ERA before he came to Seattle. He turned things around, and so could Putz.
It's not the only pitcher that we have seen traded by the Mariners that has fallen off track after leaving. Jarrod Washburn posted a 1-3 record and a 7.33 ERA after being traded to the Detroit Tigers.
Mark Lowe is currently the set up man, but why not bring in a proven all star like Putz to push him? Lowe's numbers were ok, not fantastic. A 2-7 record (variable for a relief pitcher) and 3.27 ERA are nothing more then mediocre.
I would definitely advocate the idea of signing JJ Putz and Jarrod Washburn. For those against signing high-priced free agents this would be a way to get two former veteran Mariners at a cheap price. Washburn saw a career resurgence with John Wetteland as the pitching coach, posting an 8-6 record with a 2.64 ERA, and his name was being tossed around as a late all-star addition.
Unless you want to break the bank on John Lackey or Rich Harden, all you are likely going to find are veteran pitchers, injury-prone players, or in most cases, a combination of the two.
Both Washburn and Putz have pitched well for the Mariners. Washburn only had one good season, which can partly be forgiven due to the fact he recieved the lowest run support of any AL Pitcher dating back to 2005.
These two would fall right into how Zdurencik built this team last offseason: low risk, high potential signings and trades.
What harm would a one year incentive laced deal be? It wouldn't, and thats why we should re-sign JJ Putz and Jarrod Washburn.
Sports Illustrated reported rumor interest in Washburn.
The Seattle PI also likes the idea of Washburn making a return
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