Putz and the Tigers, revisited

Putz and the Tigers, revisited
Jason Beck / MLB.com
Posted on November 6, 2009 at 7:50 PM

While Fernando Rodney filed for free agency and Brandon Lyon weighs his options on the open market, the Tigers might well be gaining another option at closer once the Mets make their expected decision to decline now that the Mets formally declined the 2010 option on J.J. Putz.

A year ago, the Tigers were deep in talks with the Mariners for Putz, then Seattle's closer but on the trading block. A deal with Detroit was supposed to be the dream situation for Putz, the Trenton, Mich. native who pitched at the University of Michigan. But the M's reportedly wanted both Matt Joyce and Jeff Larish as part of a return package, while the Tigers would only offer Joyce. That opened the door for the Mets to snag Putz in a three-way trade that the Indians helped facilitate to help keep Putz out of the division.

It's a way different situation now, of course, and Putz as a free agent is just part of it. The Tigers, spurned by Seattle, sent Joyce to the Rays for Edwin Jackson. Putz battled elbow problems all year en route to a disappointing season as a setup man for Francisco Rodriguez.

The Tigers aren't looking for a high-priced closer, but after two years of injury concerns, Putz has the chance to be more of a low-risk, high-reward signing. On Putz's side, it's believed he would not only enjoy a chance to pitch for his hometown team, but welcome the chance to close again. It could be quite a match.

For now, it's just theoretical. Putz hasn't filed for free agency yet, and once he does, the Tigers can only talk interest and not contract terms with him until Nov. 20.

On a side note, looking back at the Putz trade, the Mariners had by far the best of that deal thanks to a player who was little more than a side mention in the deal. Franklin Gutierrez went from Cleveland to Seattle, got a full-time job in the M's outfield and proceeded to set career highs with a .283 average, 18 homers, 70 RBIs and 16 stolen bases while playing stellar defense in center.

Tigers would interest Putz
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on November 10, 2009 at 7:28 PM

Yes, free agent reliever J.J. Putz confirmed, the Tigers would be a situation that interests him. But then, a lot of situations would interest him.

"I'd have interest in most teams, including the Tigers," Putz wrote in an email to MLB.com Tuesday.

In other words, while a homecoming to Michigan might be a good fit for Putz, it wouldn't be the only fit.

Both Putz and his agent, Craig Landis, said the Tigers have not contacted them. He technically didn't become a free agent until this past weekend, after the Mets declined to pick up his option for next season. The Mets still hold exclusive negotiating rights with Putz until Nov. 20, though other clubs can call to express interest and talk in non-financial terms.

The intrigue surrounding Putz and Detroit stems from his Michigan upbringing, his college career at the University of Michigan, and the trade discussions the Tigers had with the Mariners last winter before Seattle sent him to the Mets in a three-team trade.

The Tigers moved on, signed Brandon Lyon later in the offseason, and went with Fernando Rodney as their closer out of Spring Training. Rodney and Lyon are both free agents.

The chance to close somewhere is definitely appealing, Putz said, though it isn't the only situation he'd consider.

"I'd rather be a closer," Putz wrote, "but I am open to setup jobs, depending on the fit."

As for how he's feeling after undergoing surgery in June to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow, Putz was upbeat.

"My arm feels great! I've been throwing and rehabbing with no pain," he wrote.