Keith Law of ESPN ranks the Winter Meeting moves and there are some surprises. The first surprise is that he ranks JJ Putz ahead of Francisco Rodriguez in terms of impact and value.
If he’s fully healthy, he’s one of the most dominant late-game relievers around, with outstanding control and an out-pitch splitter. He’ll make more of a difference to the Mets’ bullpen than the other guy they acquired this week.
The next surprise is how highly Law regards one of the other players the Mets gained in the Putz deal. Sean Green is ranked as the 4th best move.
A right-handed specialist with tremendous sink on his fastball, Green should be the guy the Mets thought Joe Smith or Eddie Kunz would be — their replacement for, who was so valuable in their 2006 bullpen.
Added by Peter Wade:
Last night in his wrap up of the winter meetings post, the Star Ledger’s Dan Graziano reported that Omar Minaya is fielding phone calls from “several teams” asking about Sean Green:
The Detroit Tigers asked Minaya if he’s interested in “flipping” right-handed reliever Sean Green, who came over Wednesday night in the deal that brought in J.J. Putz and sent Heilman to Seattle. The Mets like Green for their bullpen, but they’re willing to listen.
Pete Lappin (3)
