JJ to the somewhere else?

Geoff Baker has the story

It didn't take long for the name J.J. Putz to echo throughout the corridors at the baseball winter meetings.

Putz is getting plenty of attention in the hallways of the Bellagio Hotel and on Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik's cellphone. The Detroit Tigers are said to be preparing to make a push for the Mariners closer as they try to shore up a porous bullpen.

Zduriencik, who just signed former Tigers prospect Chris Shelton to a minor-league deal that will see him get a shot at playing first base in spring training, said he's open to any proposals.

"Sure, there have been inquiries about J.J.," Zduriencik said on Monday, as the first day of the annual meetings drew to a close. "Yes there have. We have talked about J.J. We have not made a determination in terms of what we're going to do because that's a very important position for us and a lot of teams in baseball."

But Putz's $5.5 million salary for 2009 makes him an attractive commodity in a market where top free-agent closers are poised to earn more. Zduriencik said he has yet to have a formal sit-down with any of the several teams asking about Putz. That could change as momentum picks up the final three days of these meetings.

The New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers are also interested in Putz. But the Tigers — also looking at free agent Kerry Wood — appear to be the most aggressive and could move quickly to pre-empt other teams.

Putz was a Rattler in 2000. Brewers, huh?

Churchill has some analysis.

The J.J. Putz rumors are really hot right now, with the Mets, Brewers, Braves, Tigers and Blue Jays showing heavy interest.

The Tigers would have to part with top prospect Rick Porcello to land Putz, or some young talent from their 25-man roster, since the rest of their farm system is among the five or six worst in all of baseball.

The Mets, who are one of the two favorites to sign Raul Ibanez, along with the Cubs, simply don't have the pieces, either, unless Fernando Martinez is a part of the offer.

Milwaukee's system has the talent, but it's far-fetched to believe that Melvin would be willing to part with Alcides Escobar and Mat Gamel for a relief pitcher, and a healthy Putz carries too much value for the Mariners to accept second-tier talent in return. So, no Nelson-for-Putz cries, okay?

Atlanta is an interesting thought for Putz, and until today I hadn't heard them as being interested. But former M's right-hander Rafael Soriano is injury prone, and might ultimately be better suited for a setup role, anyway.

Putz a Brewer. Probably not.