Putz’s agent, Craig Landis said:

“He has a preference to be a closer, but absolutely will not rule out an eighth-inning job depending upon many factors.”

…if he is willing to set-up and spot close, i think the Mets should at least guage his interest on returning on a lower base salary with incentives…assuming his elbow is healthy, and apparently he is throwing pain-free right now, he could be as valuable as the Mets thought he would be a year ago when they acquired him…

For more on this and the latest updates from the General Managers meetings, check out Rosenthal’s blog here.

In addition, the Mets announced that they have exercised the $500,000 option on Mike Pelfrey.

…as i said before, it was just too much of a financial commitment to give a setup man coming off of elbow surgery…they can probably find a capable setup man to compliment Pedro Feliciano for a lot less than what they would’ve had to pay Putz…in addition, cutting ties with Putz clears up important money for the other priorities that the Mets will need to address…

The option would have called for $9.1 million, and instead they will buy him out for $1 million.

Update, 3:29 pm:

…it just goes to show how, sometimes, things do not work out as planned… because, from what i recall, the Mets acquired putz, not just to be an elite set-up man, but knowing they could pick up his option and trade him to a team in need of a closer, since he would be signed to a one-year, $9 million deal… but, no such luck…

Update, 3:42 pm:

According to Hubbuch, Putz’s agent, Craig Landis, isn’t ruling out a return to the Mets on an incentive-laden deal.

Rubin feels that there is no way the Mets can bring Putz back at either salary.

…i am leaning towards agreeing with Rubin at this point…at first i was on the fence because he can be a valuable but costly part of the bullpen, but i now think the money is better spent elsewhere, and as Rubin says, he probably wants to close…

In addition, Rubin notes that Tim Redding is arbitration eligible and is not a free agent, but wonders if the Mets will non-tender him this winter.

…i don’t see how Redding fits into the Mets plans…he was a disappointment in 2009 and was on the verge of being released mid-season, but was held onto thanks to the injuries in the rotation…

Finally, Rubin takes a look at the catching situation, and feels Rod Barajas is a logical fit to replace Brian Schneider, which would give Josh Thole more seasoning time at Triple-A Buffalo.

…i am not high on Barajas…he hit for decent power in 2009, but below .230…he is 34 and a lifetime .238 hitter…he would clearly be a temporary solution as they watch and hope Thole matures, but in any case, i can’t see him as part of the solution next year…

For more on this and the complete list of free agent’s check out Rubin’s blog.

Janish points out that the Mets ignored the elbow problem that kept him out of action for a month in 2008, and that Jerry Manuel rode him hard early on.

…i think that Putz‘ option is steep, but thats not to say that the Mets shouldn’t consider bringing him back…his health will be a question mark early on, but i am confident that he will be healthy next year…

…if they let him walk, then he will want to close somewhere else so if the Mets wish to retain him, they will have to pick up his option…then again, i don’t believe the Mets should handcuff Putz into being a setup guy if he isn’t happy doing that because that will eventually effect his performance and the team dynamic in one way or another…

Janish also reminds fans that they never saw Putz at his best, and if they do let him go, the Mets will need to find a new setup man for the eighth inning.

…i think this is the key reason why they should exercise the option, but as i said, only if he is happy in that role…

For more on this, check out Janish’s post.

The reason for the change is unknown.

Billy Wagner pitched a perfect inning Friday for Single-A St. Lucie, where he will throw again tonight.

…the way i understand it, wagner will keep up this pace, then eventually move to pitching back-to-back days… he’ll do that for a bit, after which talk of him joining the Mets will begin… i’m still thinking mid-month…

Yesterday, J.J. Putz tossed 25 pitches in a bullpen session in Citi Field, where he will throw again Wednesday.

He told reporters he hopes to be back in three weeks, though he’ll know more following his session on Wednesday.

…i suspect putz will have the same schedule as wagner, basically… so, wherever billy is, j.j. will be a week or so behind…

Carlos Beltran took live batting practice on the field Saturday, and hit from both sides of the plate in a 20-minute session.

…from what i can gather, Jose Reyes will do light running today in St. Lucie, but he is taking it slow… as is John Maine, who is still idle, resting, and waiting out discomfort in his shoulder…

He will next throw on Wednesday.

Putz later told reporters he hopes to be back in roughly three weeks.

…it’s going to be quite interesting to see Francisco Rodriguez, putz and Billy Wagner, all in the same bullpen… hopefully, the Mets will have jumped over .500 by then, to make it matter…

Jerry Manuel said Putz looked ‘good, free and easy,’ while throwing some split-finger fastballs.

“I was encouraged,” Manuel said.

However, he has been hitting, throwing and running in a pool and has every intention of getting back on the field.

Beltran said the doctor advised against increasing his workload because the pain and bruise will not go away until he stops activity altogether.

However, “I want to get back as soon as I can,” he said.  “I wanted to try. I decided to do it… Right now, I’m not thinking about resting.  I’m thinking about how I can get back.”

That said, Beltran said he still plans to have another MRI exam before he plays in a rehab game.

Speaking of injuries…

Carlos Delgado hit in the indoor batting cage in Citi Field yesterday and told reporters he is feeling good, but he has yet to run full speed around the bases.

…from what i can gather, he is still on pace to return next month, as is Billy Wagner and maybe J.J. Putz… John Maine is still a mystery, as he will get a second opinion on his shoulder tomorrow…

…meanwhile, the buzz from Citi Field suggests Jose Reyes is also getting closer to a return… i heard from one person who said reyes could realistically play in a rehab game in a week or so… in short, it’s not impossible that he’s back around the same time as delgado…

…in the end, it sounds like things are going well for everyone, which is why i am more skeptical than usual… i mean, what are the odds they all come back, boom, in one shot, perfect and ready for action… in other words, put on a uniform, play in a rehab game, and i’ll start being excited… well, maybe i’m a little excited… damn…

However, it was later reported that Sheffield had a cramp in his leg and it is not expected to be serious.

…finally, an injury that isn’t bad, but I guess you never know anymore…

Meanwhile, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post is reporting that JJ Putz played catch yesterday for the first time since elbow surgery.

Also, Jose Reyes apparently did not want to run in Port St. Lucie yesterday after pointing to his hamstring, but the Mets do not feel it was a setback as the plan was to make it more of a lighter day.

…of course…