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Mets Acquire Putz As Setup Man

The Associated Press

Published: December 12, 2008

LAS VEGAS - The New York Mets overhauled their much-maligned bullpen with two big moves late Wednesday night, obtaining J.J. Putz from Seattle 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 the winter meetings.

New York 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 got reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and 23-year-old second baseman Luis Valbuena from the Mariners.

DIAMONDBACKS: Free-agent infielder Felipe Lopez and Arizona reached a preliminary agreement on a $3.5 million, one-year contract.

PADRES: General manager Kevin Towers said that Cubs GM Jim Hendry told him Chicago was ceasing its pursuit of the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner.

ROYALS: Relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth and Kansas City reached a preliminary agreement on a $9.25 million, two-year contract, while the Royals also signed pitchers Doug Waechter and Horacio Ramirez. Waechter is a Northeast High graduate who played for the Rays from 2003-06.

TWINS: Versatile infielder Nick Punto and Minnesota agreed on a two-year contract. The 31-year-old Punto hit .284 for the Twins last season.

WINTER BALL: Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez will soon return to his Caribbean homeland to play for the Caguas Creoles, ending a more than decade-long absence from Puerto Rico's winter league.

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Mets Acquire Putz As Setup Man