Our MLB editor files dispatches from the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas in Notes From Sin City.I've seen quite a bit of Mets general manager
Omar Minaya here at the Bellagio, so I'd like to think he's reading my posts. Even if he isn't, he did respond to
my suggestion that New York needs more bullpen help, by pulling off a three-way deal for closer
J.J. Putz.
Minaya, along with Indians GM
Mark Shapiro and Mariners GM
Jack Zduriencik, made the trade official moments ago and he had a simple message for the folks in New York who keep bothering him when he goes out to get his morning bagels.
"To you Mets fans, we've addressed the bullpen by getting Mr. Putz," he said.
Indeed he has, and he's addressed a few other areas of need with this deal, further adding to the bullpen depth by acquiring
Sean Green, a guy who is very tough on right-handed hitters, and filling the hole left by
Endy Chavez with
Jeremy Reed, who is a capable fourth outfielder.
But this deal is mostly about Putz, who, if healthy, could be an even more devastating weapon than the recently signed
Francisco Rodriguez.
"To win championships, you have to have a good bullpen," said Minaya. "We had Putz and K-Rod as one and two on our list [coming into the offseason]. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine we'd have our No. 1 and No. 2 closer."