The Diamondbacks and closer J.J. Putz agreed Saturday to a two-year, $13.5 million contract, a deal that essentially adds one year and $7 million to his previous one.
The D-backs exercised Putz's $6.5 million option for 2013 on Oct. 20.
“J.J. has provided much-needed leadership and stability for our bullpen
the last two years,” Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said. “He has been an
integral piece and helped set the foundation for our bullpen’s
turnaround, so we are excited to have him in place the next two
seasons.”
The 35-year-old right-hander had 32 saves in 37 chances and a 2.82 ERA last year, converting 19 straight save chances from late May through August, the third-longest streak in club history. He had a 0.84 ERA from June 23 through the end of the season. He also had a franchise-record-tying 24 consecutive scoreless outings from late June through the end of August, tying the mark Brandon Lyons set in 2008.
Putz, who joined the D-backs prior to the 2011 season, is the only reliever in franchise
history to record back-to-back 30-save campaigns, two of his four overall. He has a 33-31 career record with 183 saves in 514 major league games. His 77 saves with the D-backs rank second on the franchise list behind only Jose Valverde's 98.
“I’m very happy to be a member of the great D-backs organization and family though 2014,” Putz said. “It’s special to be with my family year round, so we’re all really excited."
