Mariners agreed to terms with RHP J.J. Putz on a three-year, $13.1 million contract with a club option for 2010.
The deal buys out his arbitration years, and the $8.6 million option for 2010 would cover his first season of free agency. Putz seems set to remain a fine closer after his breakthough 2006, though it's unlikely that he'll be quite so dominant going forward. He finished with 36 saves, a 2.30 ERA and a 104/13 K/BB ratio in 78 1/3 innings last season. Jan. 17 - 5:45 pm et