"Teams in search of late-inning relief help will not lack for options. Right-hander J.J. Putz, a free agent, is one intriguing possibility.

The Mets, as expected, declined Putz's $9.1 million option; Putz did not pitch after June 4 due to an elbow problem that required surgery.

But Putz, the Mariners' former closer, is again healthy and throwing. Under the right circumstances, he would be willing to accept a setup role, according to his agent, Craig Landis.

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

"Money obviously will be one. Location, how good the team is, the coaching staff. If everything else stacked up and it happened to be a setup job, we'd consider it.""