26
2009
J.J. Putz Out For The Season
An article by Hojo's Mojo
The Mets got a double dose of bad news on the pitching front when setup man J.J. Putz was shutdown for the season after suffering a setback while rehabbing in Florida.
Yesterday, Omar Minaya said that Putz’ scheduled rehab appearance had been canceled to give him an extra day of rest, but a few hours later Jerry Manuel announced that Putz was being shut down for the season because of new fraying and a slight tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right forearm.
Putz had surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow June 9 and was apparently making progress but, an MRI yesterday afternoon later revealed the injury.
Putz, was earning $5.5 million in his walk year, has a $8.1-million club option for 2010 with a $1-million buyout. There is now no chance the Mets will pick that option up.
When Omar Minaya made the blockbuster 12 player trade to acquire Putz, he knew about the bone spurs in his shoulder and yet paid full price for damaged goods. The Mariners had been looking to unload Putz since the 2008 season after a red-flag-filled year in which he had just 15 saves and a 3.88 ERA. He missed a month of the season with a hyper-extended elbow and an AL executive not involved in the deal said in 2008 Putz’s fastball was somewhat diminished, he flushed his slider for a curve and often looked as if he was pitching in discomfort.
The Mets traded right-hander Aaron Heilman, reliever Joe Smith, center fielder Endy Chavez, first baseman Mike Carp, right-hander Maikel Cleto, left-hander Jason Vargas and center fielder Ezekiel Carrera in that 3-team deal.
In return the Mets got 29.1 mostly ineffective innings with a 5.22 ERA.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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At the time of the trade, Omar was taking kudos for being a genius. In retrospect, the Mets got fleeced. This trade must have a competitive spot in the top 10 worst trades in the history of the Mets.
How does Putz get a frayed and torn ligament while in recovery from surgery? Has rehab been that intensive? I’m confused as I don’t understand just how this happens. But it’s the Mets: expect the worst and that’s what we got. So what do we do with this dud? No one will want him so he’s valueless. Once again, the Wilpons are the bag holders just as they were with Madoff. Amazing how they can take a bag, put a bundle of money in it, and when taking a peek inside find out there’s nothing there! Good job Fred, Jeff, and Omar!
Clearly something “doesn’t pass the smell test” here with Putz tearing a ligament while in recovery. Also just as clear it is anoter addition to the list of problems with Omar as the common denominator. We have to believe this will cost them ticket sales next season if they bring this guy back. I simply can’t believe that after actually COSTING (or wasting) on deal after deal, the Wilpons money, risking the team’s biggest investment and franchise player, and on, and on, and on, that this guy still is employed. Really, would any of us be able to hold our jobs after such blatent incompetence and dishonesty? I would not.
Lost in all this is the fact that Putz probably suffered the setback because the Mets attempted to rush him back. Of course his arm was shot anyway. Does anybody know that the Cubs offered us Jason Marquis for Aaron Heilman, and that Omar turned it down? He thought it would be better to trade Heilman and a half dozen other players so that he could get dmaged goods that the Mariners were only to pleased to get rid of.
Just goes to show… Minaya got short changed in the thinking dept.
That was a nice trade for JJ putz minaya…Real nice.
This is why I can’t stand with a passion some of the Omar stuff. I agree he needs to go to change things up. But now we’re going to knock him for trading for J.J. Putz?
First of all, Sean Green & Jeremy Reed were a part of that deal also.
We sent Joe Smith to Cleveland, and Endy Chavez and Heilman to Seattle.
You want Heilman back? Maybe you’re looking for Endy back (who is also out for the year mind you)
Every move can’t be examined like this. It’s ridiculous. That was a good deal and you know it. It got us a younger backup OF, a better middle relief guy in Green vs. Heilman, and a legit 8th inning threat until he got hurt… and for what?
Just because you don’t like him doesn’t mean that every good move that doesn’t work out is a bad move. That is as good a deal as you could find when trying to trade Aaron friggin Heilman and you know it.
The mets need all the warm bodies they can get. Sean green has been pretty awful, i dont know how you can say he is better than heilman. He is NOT!
and sure endy is on the DL, but whos to say that would have happen with the mets (Hahahahaha, joke, joke) but still…its the quantity they gave up…even if it wasnt quality. That was a big ass trade and they lost like a bunch of players. I dont think he got fleeced, as we didnt give anything really important, but still 5 players better than one whos on the DL. and the salary they paid