12:25 PM:
Sure enough, Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Cardinals offered Rick Ankiel and a prospect in return for Putz.  Ankiel wouldn’t be a horrible fit, but I am really not a fan of his and would rather Seattle go another route.

8:52 AM:
John Paul Morosi has another article up about the Detroit Tigers’ interest in Seattle closer J.J. Putz.  He didn’t report anything new, but reiterated that Seattle is demand both OF Matt Joyce and 1B/3B Jeff Larish, rather than one or the other.  He also states that the Tigers’ interest in Putz “appears stronger than ever,” and that their only other realistic closing target besides Putz was Kerry Wood, who just signed with the rival Cleveland Indians.

If the Tigers are truly running out of options and have Putz at the top of their list, it can only mean good things for Seattle.  GM Jack Zduriencik has already made it clear that he isn’t giving Putz away, and perhaps he can convince Detroit to overpay for him, even beyond Joyce and Larish.  Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski doesn’t have the greatest trading track record (which would explain the Tigers’ empty farm system), so anything could happen.  I wouldn’t rule out the “untouchable” Rick Porcello.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals have Putz near the top of their closer wish list as well, according to Joe Strauss.  We already knew this, but who might we get in return?

Some people have suggested OF Rick Ankiel.  I’d rather not go that route.  Ankiel was a great story as he transitioned from the Rookie of the Year runner up in 2000 as a pitcher to becoming the Cardinals’ Opening Day center fielder in 2008, but I don’t think he’d be a good target for Seattle.  He’s 29 already, is among the worst defensive center fielders in baseball and is generally overrated in the box.

I think Seattle should take a run at OF Colby Rasmus, who entered the 2008 season as the number one prospect in the Cardinals organization, and the fifth best in all of baseball, according to Baseball America.  Rasmus is the first name Seattle needs to bring up in talks with the Cardinals.  The Cards may not want to part with him, but they have the depth to lose him and his stock has fallen slightly this past season, so it seems plausible.

If Rasmus isn’t an option, Seattle would obviously inquire about OF Ryan Ludwick, who came out of nowhere to become one of the best offensive outfielders in the game in 2008 and certainly one of the most underrated.  Seattle could definitely use him and Ludwick’s trade value won’t be as high as other .900+ OPS sluggers because he’s a late bloomer and he is no guarantee to repeat his Silver Slugger season, especially without being able to log most of his at bats hitting in front of or behind Albert Pujols.  Risk or not, it’s hard not to want a guy capable of posting a .966 OPS (6th best in baseball, ahead of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Matt Holiday, Hanley Ramirez and many other superstars).

Beyond those two players I’m not sure there is anything the Cardinals could offer that would perk my interest besides LHSP Jaime Garcia and perhaps 3B Allen Craig.

Keep aiming high, Jack.  Make them come to you!