As I had mentioned in my previous post, it has been nearly a year since the Mets acquired J.J. Putz from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a bevy of players.
When they acquired the hard throwing righty, the Mets envisioned having a proven closer that could fill in the closer’s role if needed.
However, as usual, things did not work out as planned for the Mets.
Throughout his brief season Putz found himself filling in for closer, Francisco Rodriguez only four times. He was able to successfully convert two of these four opportunities into saves.
On top of that, Putz never seemed to be completely healthy. In April, he posted a lackluster 4.09 ERA in eleven appearances.
During his second full month with the team, in May, Putz began to settle down and had an ERA of 3.63 in 17 games.
Putz also, improved his K:BB ratio to 15:12, which is by no means good, but it was definitely an improvement of his April ratio of 4:6.
Just when things appeared to be turning around for the better, Putz’s season took an alarming turn in only two appearances. Both were against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who were by no means a powerful team.
In the first game that he pitched, Putz surrendered four runs, three of which were earned before being lifted without recording an out.
In the second game of the series, Putz didn’t fare much better. This time around, he was able to get through the inning, however not before giving up two runs.
By the end of these two nightmarish performances, Putz nearly doubled his ERA to 5.22. Before long, the fears regarding Putz’s struggles were confirmed…he was hurt.
In mid-June it was announced that Putz would need elbow surgery to remove a bone spur, but that he would return to the team later on in the season.
Unfortunately that day never came, and he ended up requiring additional surgery. Putz ended up finishing what was one of the worst seasons in his big league career on the sidelines.
As has been discussed a countless number of times, the Mets hold an option worth $8.6 million for the pitcher’s services in 2010.
All indications are that Putz will be ready to pitch by the time Spring Training rolls around next year. However, is that enough of a reason to bring back the veteran pitcher?
It is an interesting case, as despite the fact that Putz is coming off a terrible injury ridden season, it is hard to ignore his impressive track record. An All-Star in 2007, Putz has had numerous successful seasons in the hitter-friendly American League.
Final Verdict: While I believe it is fair to say that 2009 was not an accurate gauge on whether or not J.J. Putz will be an effective pitcher in the future, there are just too many question marks to commit nearly $9 million to.
Turning down Putz’s option is a no-brainer. However, I believe the team should pursue him as a free agent and try to sign him to a one year deal at a significantly lower salary to help rebuild his value.
Keep in mind, this year’s free agent pool will be filled with numerous potential closers, so Putz will not be able to command as high of a paycheck as he would if the pool was more shallow.
If the team is unable to come to terms with the pitcher then I wish him well as he seemed to bring a sense of spunk that no one else on the team seemed to have last season.
62, I imagine you live in NYC or Queens.. We’re about the same age so it would nice to meet some day.
If we trade for fielder at the Winter Meetings or even sign Delgado, other free agents will take us more seriously. Lackey has pitched in the playoffs three season in a row and probably won’t want to taker a step back.
GARY, I TOO, RESPECT YOUR THOUGHTH PROCESS & WOULD ENJOY DIRECT COMMUNICATION, UNFORTUNATLY YOUR GUESS IN INCORRECT, I WAS ONCE A BKLYN NATIVE; NOW LIVING IN MATTHEWS, NC. MY DIRECT EMAIL IS PTHYLAND@AOL.COM, IN LIEU OF A VERY LONG LUNCH COMMUTE BY EITHER OF US. AFTER I VACATED BKLYN IN ’76 FOR MIDDLESEX CNTY, NJ I WAS RELOCATED TO SOUTH JERSEY, CHERRY HILL, PHL SUBURB, AFTER THAT, COLUMBUS, GA.(3 YRS) THEN BACK TO NJ (2 YRS.) ONTO LOS ANGELES (10 YRS) NOW NC FOR 11 YRS & RUNNING. I’LL TURN 60 IN A MONTH, 12/10 & AFTER STARTING OUT A BKLYN FAN, 1st EVER LIVE GAME @ 4 OR 5 IN EBBETS FLD WITH MY NANA, SPUR OF THE MOMENT. MY MOST LASTING ‘FEELING’ FROM THAT GAME WAS THE AWE OF SO MUCH GREEN INSTEAD OF TV GRAY. I CAN STILL FEEL THAT FELING WHENEVER I REMEMBER THE DAY. LOOK FORWARD TO DIRECT CORRESPONDENCE, WARNING I’M AN OPTIMIST THAT RECOGNIZES THE RESTRAINTS OF RUNNING NYM BY OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS. I DON’T LIKE THEM; BUT I ACCEPT THEM.
I FEEL BUOYED BY RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS OUT OF BOTH NY & MILWALKEE. BREWS HIRING PETERSON & DEALING HARDY TO MINN FOR GOMEZ AS HARDY WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR TRADE CHIPS DOUG MELVIN POINTED TO FOR USE IN OBTAING HIS DESIRED PITCHING, HE DEALT HARDY FOR AN OUTFIELDER & NO PITCHING, POSSIBLY SINCE HE’S IDENTIFIED, COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING ON GETTING HIS DESIRED 2 EXPERIENCED SP, WHO ELSE HAS EXCESS SPing OF ANY CAPABILITY & IS EXPERIENCED.
OMAR HAS CERTAINLY PROVEN ADEPT AT STEALTHY DEALINGS, MILLEDGE,CAMERON,CHURCH, NADY ALL DEALT WITH NO LEAKAGE TO MEDIA NOT EVEN ON THE MOST EXTREME BLOG SITES.
62, I also have a VHS with the 69 worked series but MLB broadcast the entire games, and I watched this in conjunction with this years WS. The 69 Mets had a combination of gut and determination to go with thier great pitching. Baltimore had great pitching also.
Anyway, your Prince scenario makes some sense as long as he can hit 35 HRs in Citifield. I’m not as concerned about Delgado’s bat speed as you are. Last time he played regularly he seems fine.
The key signing is Lackey. That makes everything else possible. IMHO
I saw that on MLB. Was nice to Nolan Ryan when he was young again. He was a real fireballer!
This trade that 62 is proposing is so good for the Brewers it must scare the shit out of Omar. Murphy can hit 40 doubles, drive in 80 runs,and play above average defense at 1B. Maine and Pelfrey can win 15 each. If the trade is so good, why make it at all? Because the Mets team offensive dynamic is dependent on a reliable and feared power hitter batting 4th. It makes every player on either side of a good #4 potentially better.
Want Wright to drive in 100 runs batting 3rd, you need Fielder or the like. You want Beltran to drive in 100 runs from #5, you need Fielder or the like, and then a Francoeur, Bay or Holliday behind Beltran.