J.J. Putz News

Every so often, for those listening closely, a rumor regarding a catcher or an infielder will float over Queens -- even this offseason hasn't deprived the Mets of that.

Free agency isn't the Mets' only option when it comes to looking for a closer. They have interest in the Astros' Jose Valverde, Huston Street of the Rockies, the Mariners' J.J. Putz and Bobby Jenks of the White ...

In an ongoing discussion with bloggers outside of the MVN network about their respective MLB teams, I'd like to welcome Jeff Sullivan .

Yes, I said it. The Seattle Mariners are the next baseball powerhouse. In 2008 the Mariners were plagued with injuries.

While there are a host of highly coveted closers on the free-agent market, there's also a few top-tier stoppers apparently available via trade: Trenton, Mich., native J.J. Putz of the Mariners, Jose Valverde of ...

In setting their 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft, the Indians left one spot open for a potential acquisition through trade or free agency.

The Mets have many goals and many choices in this baseball offseason, but as they take in the lay of the land now, they think they know this: Acquiring a closer will be first on their list of accomplishments.

The Mariners' managerial list is a model of diversity, transparency and audacity.

One thing separated the Mets and Phillies last season. Actually, it was one person.

While the big-market options appear to be dwindling for free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, the Mets nevertheless have checked in with the White Sox regarding a potential trade for their closer, Bobby Jenks ...

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria completed a whirlwind year Monday by unanimously winning the Jackie Robinson American League Rookie of the Year Award as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of ...

Third baseman Evan Longoria made his Major League debut on April 12 and led all rookies with 27 home runs in his first-year campaign.

The Tigers spent roughly $134 million on player payroll this year, and president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said there is "not going to be a significant difference" in that figure next season.

The Mets couldn't be more clear about their offseason strategy: They scored 799 runs in 2008, the same number as the Phillies , tying them for second place in the National League .

Ken Griffey Jr. may have slowed a little with age, but the Mariners would still welcome the bat that was the heart of their lineup from 1989-99. With a new general manager on board, the Mariners have started ...

If the next Mariners manager wants Mel Stottlemyre to be his pitching coach, one phone call could make it happen.

PHILADELPHIA Francisco Rodriguez's agent will be at the general managers' meetings next week in Dana Point, Calif., and the representative for Brian Fuentes likely will be there, too.

A few weeks ago, I presented a roster construction plan for 2009 that would allow the M's to potentially compete for the division, going with a reloading rather than rebuilding plan.

After Tampa Bay was shut out by Daisuke Matsuzaka in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, David Ortiz seemed to detect something different in the way the youthful AL East champs looked last Friday ...

The Mets may not have a Papelbon coming up the pike, but they might consider fishing for someone like J.J. Putz of the Mariners, who is coming off an injury-marred, mediocre season by his standards but was a ...