Mariners | Detroit shows interest in trading for closer J.J. Putz

LAS VEGAS — 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.

"We are looking to improve our closer role," said Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, who earlier Monday acquired catcher Gerald Laird from Texas for two minor-league pitchers. "We do have somebody in-house in Fernando Rodney, who is pitching well and throwing winter ball in the Dominican at this time getting ready for the season.

"We would like to add an arm in the bullpen and we are looking at people that are in the free-agent market and at some trades. So, we are exploring both of those at this time."

The Tigers are said to be unwilling to part with top pitching prospect Rick Porcello, though the most pressing concern for the Mariners is in left field. There appears to be a fit with Tigers outfielder Matt Joyce, a 24-year-old, left-handed-slugging left fielder who put up an .831 on-base-plus slugging percentage (OPS) in his first 242 major-league at-bats last season.

Before that, Joyce put up a .902 OPS along with 13 homers and 41 runs batted in just more than 200 at-bats in Class AAA.

Another player Detroit would likely give up is lefty first baseman Jeff Larish, 26, who put up a .905 OPS in Class AA in 2006. Larish then posted an .818 OPS with 21 homers and 64 RBI in only 383 at-bats in Class AAA last season before struggling over a 42-game stint in the majors.

It's highly unlikely the Tigers would part with both, wanting to keep at least one around for some added lefty power.

Seattle's acquisition of Shelton, a potential right-handed platoon partner with Russell Branyan at first base, perhaps makes Larish somewhat less attractive than Joyce. Zduriencik said Shelton would have every opportunity to win a job at spring training and his role depends on what he does.

One potential name that could become a secondary part of any Putz deal is Class AA left-handed starter Luis Marte, 22, who can hit 97 mph with his fastball but has struggled with his control.

Zduriencik said he spoke recently by phone with Putz after the closer became concerned about trade rumors. He said he told Putz he can't promise him anything, nor control whether teams call in asking about him.

Taking calls, though, he cautioned, is a lot different from following through on a trade.

The Mariners would need a closer to replace Putz in the event of a trade. Zduriencik is reserving the right to change his mind about former reliever Brandon Morrow becoming a starter next season if circumstances change.

"I do think that any type of player moves, whether it be signing someone, or trading someone, or bringing someone in ... has a domino effect, no question about it," Zduriencik said. "I think when the day is said and done, what our job [is], is to put the best talented players on the field in the position where they can have the most success.

"So, when we determine that, or how we determine that is an ongoing process that will remain unanswered until we roll into spring training and realize exactly what this ballclub is going to look like."

Zduriencik said left-handed starter Erik Bedard, who visited with a doctor here on Monday, has been cleared to resume throwing and should start the season on time. That makes an already-crowded rotation even busier and leaves the option of sliding Morrow back to the bullpen.

For now, that's all in the hypothetical stage until the Tigers — or someone else — steps up and makes an offer.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com.

Read his daily blog at www.seattletimes.com/Mariners