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New York Mets Land K-Rod and J.J. Putz

The Two Relievers Will Shore Up a Bullpen in Tatters

Dec 11, 2008 James Lincoln Ray

The New York Mets countered their cross-town rival Yankees landing of C.C. Sabathia with a big time catch of their own: Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez.

Omar Minaya has apparently had enough. In each of the last two seasons, the general manager of the New York Mets has sat by and watched his team collapse in the final weeks of the season, largely because of an ineffective bullpen. Just last year, the Metropolitans relief crew blew 29 save opportunities, which was the most in baseball.

But Minaya may have solved that problem this week by signing two of the best relievers in the majors, Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz. Rodriguez, better known by his apt nickname K-Rod, broke the season save record when he notched 62 last season with the Angels. Putz, who struggled with injuries in 2008, is said to be healthy again and ready to get back to the form he showed in ’06 and ’07 when he saved 76 games and posted an ERA well under 2.00. Perhaps what was even more impressive was that Putz struck out 184 batters in 150 innings pitched.

K-Rod Will Replace Billy Wagner

The Mets needed to get K-Rod. With a new stadium opening and their regular closer Billy Wagner on the shelf until 2010 after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer, the Mets had to get a top line closer to replace him. They got the best. Since he came onto the scene in the 2002 postseason with the Angels, Rodriguez has arguably been the best closer in the game. In his six-plus year career, K-Rod has 208 saves, a 2.35 ERA and 587 strikeouts in 452 innings. He’s also proved that he can pitch in the playoffs and the World Series, which is where the Mets may be headed next year.

K-Rod’s deal is three years in length, and will pay him $37.5 million – the same length and price that the Phillies gave to their closer, Brad Lidge.

Rodriguez’s 62 saves shattered the single season record, which had been held Bobby Thigpen, who racked up 57 saves with the White Sox in 1990. As good as Billy Wagner has been for the Mets – and he’s been very good – Frankie Rodriguez is a step up.

Putz Will Be a Super Set-up Man

The Mets landed Putz by way of a three team, twelve player trade with the Mariners and the Indians. Although he struggled last year with the god-awful Mariners, Putz has shown that he can be dominating. His fastball tops out around 97 and he’s got a deadly splitter. Pairing Putz with K-Rod gives the Mets a shutdown combination that could be as tough as Rivera-Wetteland in ‘96 or Ward-Henke in 1992.

In other words, the Mets are armed and ready; well, at least in the bullpen they are.

Let’s see if the Phillies respond to the Mets moves by signing a big name free agent of their own.

The copyright of the article New York Mets Land K-Rod and J.J. Putz in Baseball is owned by James Lincoln Ray. Permission to republish New York Mets Land K-Rod and J.J. Putz in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.