The "Hot Stove" was on fire late Wednesday evening/Thursday morning ...

1. The Mets land Seattle closer J.J. Putz. It was a three-team deal with the Mariners and Indians. The Mets also landed reliever Sean Green and outfielder Jeremy Reed. Sent packing were Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith, Mike Carp ... and the man who made "the catch," Endy Chavez. As the New York Post points out, it wasn't long ago that Putz was a 40-save guy. Not a bad setup man to K-Rod, who passed his physical and got a tour of Citi Field Wednesday.

Can you even imagine if there's a September swoon this year?

2. As for CC ... The Yanks' deal for Sabathia: Seven years, $161 million. But will CC stay in NY for the length of the deal??? He still needs to pass a physical; reports say he won't likely take one until next week.

3. Yanks not done? Now they're going after A.J. Burnett with a five-year, $80 million offer. AND they're still interested in Lowe??? No recession in the Bronx, kids.

In other news ...

4. Quote of the day comes from Brett Favre: "I expect us to make the playoffs." Not exactly a Joe Willie guarantee, but at this point you just hope Favre can back up his expectations.

5. Knicks top the Nets, 121-109 in what was a homecoming for the Knicks' two stars of the game, Al Harrington (39 points, 13 rebounds) and Tim Thomas (26 points). Knicks improve to 10-12; Nets drop to 11-9.

6. And on the ice ... Rangers beat the Thrashers, 3-2 in OT. Scott Gomes scores the game-winner just 15 ticks into the extra session. Rangers (19-10-2) snap two-game losing skid. And the Devils win for the eighth time in nine games, 4-1 over the Penguins. Scott Clemmensen had 26 saves for New Jersey (15-8-2).

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