Putz to Mets in 3-team trade with Seattle, Indians

[December 11, 2008]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The New York Mets obtained J.J. Putz from Seattle on Wednesday night as part of a three-team, 12-player trade that gives them a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez.

New York dealt seven players -- six to the Mariners and one to Cleveland -- to get three back in a huge swap at baseball's winter meetings.

The Mets shipped reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez, lefty Jason Vargas and three minor leaguers to the Mariners for Putz, center fielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green in the first trade by new Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik.

Promising outfielder Franklin Gutierrez was sent from the Indians to Seattle. Cleveland gets reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and 23-year-old second baseman Luis Valbuena from Seattle.

An All-Star in 2007 when he saved 40 games, Putz was 6-5 with a 3.88 ERA and 15 saves in 23 chances last season, when he missed long stretches with ribcage and elbow injuries. His agent, Craig Landis, said Putz wants to remain a closer.

"He's one of the top five or 10 closers in the game," Landis said. "No, he would not want to be a setup man."

The only current heir apparent in Seattle to be Putz's replacement as closer is Brandon Morrow. He was the fill-in closer this season when Putz was out with elbow problems.

Heilman was inconsistent in his setup role with the Mets and preferred to be a starter. He was 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA last season and was among the bullpen culprits as New York folded in September for the second straight season. Smith, a submarine-style right-hander, was 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA.

Chavez, known for his clutch catches, batted .267 with 12 RBIs in 270 at-bats.

Gutierrez, also considered an excellent defensive player, batted .248 with eight homers and 41 RBIs.

The three minor leaguers New York sent to Seattle were first baseman Mike Carp, right-hander Maikel Cleto and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

AP Sports Writer Gregg Bell in Seattle contributed to this report.

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