"Having saved 76 games in two seasons in Seattle and rehabbing from elbow surgery, J.J. Putz probably could have signed on as closer for several teams.

Instead, he chose the White Sox, who already have one of the American League's best saves men in Bobby Jenks.

Putz signed with the Sox last week for $3 million, plus another $3 million in incentives based on games finished, although he would reach those, presumably, only if Jenks is injured or traded.

"Anybody who has closed before really cherishes (that role)," Putz said in a conference call Wednesday. "It is, in my opinion, the best job in baseball, so obviously at some point I would like to be closer again, but given (the surgery) this past season I know that's not going to happen.

"I'm definitely totally fine with setting up, I've done that before.""