BY SCOTT LAUBERLAS VEGAS -- So, the Mets have seen the Phillies' swap of backup catchers and raised them a three-team, 12-player trade that will bring closer J.J. Putz to Flushing.
That should raise the stakes a bit in the NL East.
(Vegas puns intended).
As expected, the Mets have cornered the market on closers at these winter meetings, and if you watched in the late innings last season, it was something they had to do. In two days, they have acquired two closers. Yesterday, they signed free-agent Francisco Rodriguez to a rather economical three-year, $37 million contract. K-Rod, who set a major-league record with 62 saves for the Angels last season, will handle the ninth inning, replacing Billy Wagner.
To make sure K-Rod gets the ball with a lead, they have traded for Putz, who had 91 saves for the Mariners over the past three seasons. The Mets also get outfielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green from the Mariners. They will send maligned reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez, slugging Class AA first baseman Mike Carp and two other minor leaguers to Seattle and reliever Joe Smith to Cleveland. The Indians also send outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle and get infielder Luis Valbuena from the Mariners.
Got all that?
After the K-Rod news broke yesterday, Ruben Amaro Jr. barely flinched. "I don't think it affects us much," the Phils' GM said. "They've had Billy Wagner, and we still beat them the last two years. He's going to be a fine addition to their club if, in fact, the deal is finalized [pending a physical]. But those sorts of things don't affect our manager and doesn't affect our players. They just go out and play, and I think that they like those challenges. We don't operate on a reactive basis. We try to do what's necessary to improve our club. And we can't worry about what the Mets or Marlins or Atlanta Braves are doing out there."
OK, that really may be the case. But the Phillies can't deny this: Their biggest edge over the Mets, the bullpen, has been neutralized. In fact, Putz-Rodriguez in the final two innings may be even better than Ryan Madson-Brad Lidge.
What do you think?
2 comments:
not good news. however, I've got to believe that there is something wrong with K-Rod health wise. Unless he just really wanted to go to the Mets, I would think the Angels and others would go after him at that price. If those two are healthy I think they have the edge in the 'pen. Starting pitching and outfield are still yet to be determined.
coming from a complete unprofessional opinion...but I have to think KRod's arm is about to fall off. With his arm slot and delivery, he's not made for the long term. His velocity, while still high, has dropped, as his WHIP has increased and his k rate decreased (though it's still high)...Putz had one dominant year, however he has been consistenly "good"
Post a Comment