Three Team Blockbuster sends Putz to the Big Apple
Posted by Jeremy on December 11, 2008 under MLB Trade Analysis | 
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The Seattle Mariners, New York Mets and Cleveland Indians completed a 12 player blockbuster deal last night which netted the Mets a top notch set-up man in former M’s closer J.J. Putz. Below, I have listed how the trade shakes out for each team as well as a few thoughts about how it could potentially affect eBay market values for certain players.
J.J Putz:
- A move to a contender, especially one in the Big Apple, would normally enhance the value of one’s cards. However, Putz enters New York now as a set up man to K-Rod. 8th inning guys, while valuable to their clubs, are not particularly valuable in the card collecting market (unless your first name is Joba). Putz’s 2005 RC’s and autos may see a marginal market bump over the next 7-10 days, as Mets fans are excited about the move, but it will soon subside.
Jeremy Reed
- I remember being estatic when the M’s made Reed the primary piece to the trade that sent Freddy Garcia to the White Sox. Sadly, Reed never came close to fulfilling his potential as a standout CF. Nevertheless, I feel that Reed got lost in the M’s organizational shuffle and still has some value as a 4th OF. Reed will dazzle you at times with incredible defensive plays one moment and then bewilder you with a major mental gaffe the next. Perhaps this change in scenery will re-energize Reed. He still has come upside as a solid bench player or platoon player. As for his 2002 RC’s or autographs, I wouldn’t spend a dime on them, but if you have them, they may see a little more market love once Reed puts a few decent performances together…that would be the time to sell ‘em if you’ve got ‘em.
Sean Green
Franklin Gutierrez
- This guy disappointed me last season, as I thought he was a prime candidate to have a breakout season. However, if you look at his August-September totals, Gutierrez was actually quite solid, hitting .312 with 4 HR 20 RBI and 5 SB. Gutierrez is an outstanding defensive CF, who at just 25 years old, has yet to reach his prime. The M’s are an organization in transition and their new GM Jack Zdurencik is an astute evaluator of talent. Reports have it that Jackie-Z was adamant about getting Gutierrez, which became the sole reason that Cleveland was included as a 3rd team in this deal. That speaks to me and tells me thats Zdurencik feels strongly that Gutierrez’s best is yet to come. Seattle M’s fans have historically been a strong presence in the collecting community and, if Z’s assessments of Gutierrez are correct, his ‘03 RC’s or ‘06 Bowman Chrome autos could be sweet buy-low bargains.
Aaron Heilman
- Heilman is happy to be leaving New York, as his desire to be a starting pitcher trumped his dedication to his role as a late inning reliever. Heilman has good stuff, a low-90’s fastball with good sink and a nasty splitter. It is still quite unclear how the M’s will use him in ‘09. Will he step in as the closer, leaving Brandon Morrow in the rotation? Will he move into the rotation leaving Morrow to close? Will he set up for Morrow? Any of those questions, while unanswered, are conceivable. If Heilman starts games or finishes them, his 2001 rookie cards and autos stand to gain at least a little more value than they have now.
Mike Carp
- The husky left-handed 1B prospect is coming off his best season as a pro, hitting .299 with 17 HR 72 RBI and a sterling 79 BB/88 K ratio at AA Binghamton. Carp, just 22, has all the makings of a Lyle Overbay-type hitter whose lefty power should play very well at Safeco Field. The M’s have a stop-gap platoon situation at 1B with Russell Branyan and Chris Shelton currently filling the spot. It seems that Zdurencik has tabbed Carp as the 1B of the future and, given his young age, there is no reason not to believe that he can improve on his ‘08 performance. Carps’ move from New York is beneficial to him as he now escapes the competition given by Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy to become Seattle’s top 1B farm hand.
Endy Chavez & Jason Vargas
- Likely will not see any market change
Ezekiel Carerra & Maikel Cleto
- Young organizational depth that don’t have any cards on the market and are too raw to project at this time.
Joe Smith
- The former Mets submarine-style RHP is purely a situational, middle relief pitcher who should provide solid bullpen depth to the Tribe, but his card values are not benefitted by this move.
Luis Valbuena
- This little 2B had a pretty good season in the M’s organization last year hitting .303 at AA and AAA before earning a late season nod to Safeco. The M’s seem to be content with Jose Lopez at 2B which made Luis expendible. He profiles to be a part time player with Cleveland, likely partnering with Jamey Carroll at 2B. That doesn’t make his future RC’s to be worthwhile investments.
Overall, my take on this trade is that it proves to be immediately beneficial for the Mets as they, assuming Putz throws 97 instead of 92, now have two top-tier pitchers at the end of their bullpen. That should prove to be HUGE in combatting the World Champion Phillies for the N.L. East crown. As for the Mariners, they have made gigantic strides in addressing their club’s depth in the OF and organization while opening up options for the 2010 season, in which the M’s should become aggressive buyers. I love the acquisitions of Gutierrez and Carp and am intrigued to see how they handle the Heilman/Morrow dynamic. There is not too much that excites me about the Indians’ moves as their involvement in this trade was purely Zdurencik-induced.