Williams strengthens Sox bullpen by adding Putz

First, for the big question on everyone's mind following the signing of reliever J.J. Putz to one-year $3 million contract with the White Sox on Friday:

Does this mean the end of the road for closer Bobby Jenks, as has been rumored this offseason?

"In terms of moving any guys out of the bullpen now to reshuffle things, no," White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said Friday.

Instead, the signing of the 32-year-old setup man, who had 40 saves with Seattle in 2007, is just another piece of the puzzle that is the GM's master plan for the winter.

It started with strengthening the bench with the signings of Mark Kotsay, Omar Vizquel and Andruw Jones. Now, after inking Putz (Puts), Williams is ready to focus on a different need - the offense, where a leadoff man and a left-handed slugger top the wish list.

"We've got our bench taken care of," Williams said. "We went from our bench to our bullpen and now (we go) to the offense."

The addition of Putz, who is 23-19 with a 3.24 ERA, 103 saves and 356 strikeouts in 337 relief appearances over seven seasons with Seattle and the New York Mets (2009), has Williams feeling awfully confident about his pitching heading into 2010.

"From the top of the rotation down to the bullpen, we feel we're the strongest we've ever been," he said. "He's one of a few setup guys we have.

"Obviously Bobby is the closer. (Matt) Thornton can do a little bit of both, and J.J. can do a little bit of both."

Putz, who was traveling to Arizona on Friday, is said to be just as pumped about joining the Sox as they are to have him.

"After being told what we are all about, J.J. expressed a strong desire to be here," Williams said. "We went full force to make it happen."

They weren't alone, though.

About a dozen teams, including the Cubs, were rumored to have interest in the 6-foot-5, 250-pound reliever who was 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA in 29 relief appearances with the Mets last year.

"It didn't make it any easier," Williams said of trying to sign Putz amongst a gaggle of suitors. "That's part of the gig."

Putz had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow on June 9, and missed the remainder of the season, but the Sox aren't concerned.

"We've been monitoring him since the season ended; we've had weekly progress reports," Williams said. "He passed his physical with flying colors."

Though he's feeling good about his offseason work so far, Williams made it clear he is not done yet.

"There's always something else to do," he said, "no matter where you think you are."