The MLB Winter Meetings are underway and Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers has been as busy as anybody in baseball, pulling a Mark Reynolds trade while soon thereafter signing Melvin Mora and declaring that Justin Upton probably won't be traded. But make no mistake: Towers isn't done, and according to reports, he's deep in negotiations with free agent reliever J.J. Putz.
J.J. Putz Close To Signing With Diamondbacks As Closer
Attempting to reconstruct a disastrous team bullpen, Towers already landed two relievers in the Reynolds trade, and has said that he intends to leave the Winter Meetings with a closer. Putz could serve as that closer, as he has 106 career saves.
According to Yahoo!'s Tim Brown, Putz and the Diamondbacks are talking about a two-year contract with a 2013 option. Putz will be looking for a raise from 2010's $3 million base salary, but shouldn't command a whole lot more than that, as he was a setup man for the White Sox.
In a big bounceback year, Putz posted a 2.83 ERA last season, with 65 strikeouts and 15 walks in 54 innings. He was an ace closer for the Mariners between 2006-2007, and combines a mid- to high-90s fastball with a capable slider and a devastating split.
Be sure to follow along over at AZ Snakepit.
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