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« Perrotto's Latest: Ramirez, Lowe | Main | Week in Review: 12/28 - 1/3 »
Gregg Zaun Interested In Boston
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says Gregg Zaun would love to play for the Red Sox. In Cafardo's interview with the catcher, Zaun said,
"I'd love it. My agent has had ongoing talks with Boston and I would love to see that happen. I feel one of the things I have going in my favor is being in Toronto for so long I have a deep knowledge of the AL East. I would also love the challenge of playing in Boston, where every day you go to the ballpark it's a meaningful game and you're fighting for something. That atmosphere, I'm telling you, there's nothing like it, and to be a part of that would be unbelievable. I played for Tito [Terry Francona] back in the Arizona Fall League... Tito has been watching me a long time."
Zaun, 37, finished with six homeruns and a .340 OBP in 2008 while losing his starting job to Rod Barajas. In comparison, Jason Varitek is 36 and finished with a .313 OBP last season. Zaun has received a few offers but nothing from Boston.
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Maybe he can back up Russell Martin.
Posted by: NedCollettiClueless | January 04, 2009 at 01:06 PM
itd be interesting if he took something non guaranteed like bard did. then zaun , bard, kottaras, and brown could battle it out.
im assuming a zaun signing in boston might signifigantly alter varitek's $10 million dollar poker face.
Posted by: elmedius | January 04, 2009 at 01:15 PM
they'll bring him in to compete for a back-up role as they did last year with cash and mirabelli.
i wonder if this is a sign the sox are moving on from varitek and are going to make a deal for a younger catcher.
any chance they help the braves get peavy with the pitching prospects and get mccann?
Posted by: gmac | January 04, 2009 at 01:17 PM
There's no way in heaven or hell that Varitek is worth the $10 mil a year he's seeking. The sooner him and Bore-ass realize that, the better off it'll be for everyone involved.
Posted by: tolo316 | January 04, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Varitek is looking really bad for rejecting arbitration. He would have been guaranteed at least $8M for next year.
Posted by: drchstrpunk | January 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Atl. traded away all of the heir apparents to McCann. Who would replace him if he was dealt?
Posted by: MickS | January 04, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Sign Zaun, bring in Bard let those 2 battle it out. Kotteras to catch the knuckleballer Wakefield.
Let Varitek and Boras think about arbitration offer, during spring training. I think 6 weeks away from catchers and pitchers reporting.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 04, 2009 at 01:40 PM
maybe they can trade for hanley and start him at catcher?
Posted by: marlinsman1120 | January 04, 2009 at 01:42 PM
I would like for the Sox to sign him if for no other reason that as a iron clad guarantee that 'Tek is gone for 2009 with both Zaugn and Bard set as the catchers to begin ST, with Bard probably not sticking with his contract not guaranteed and Kottaras/Brown probably staying as the backup. Would prefer a Bard with Kottarras/Brown, but looks like the Sox may not yet be happy and anything to get them to stop talking to Boras regarding Tek is worth it.
Posted by: johns | January 04, 2009 at 01:59 PM
they should be the boston WHITE sox featuring big papi
Posted by: pvilly131 | January 04, 2009 at 02:00 PM
boston race jokes are so played out that was terrible
Posted by: Casanova Wong | January 04, 2009 at 02:08 PM
According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox made an offer to Takashi Saito after he wsa non-tendered by the Dodgers.
The Saito market has been surprisingly quiet since he was let go. He'd seem to be a really good gamble for a large-market team, especially since he'd be under control for three years even after being given a one-year deal.
Cafrado's Lates Blog:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2009/01/04/the_most_improved_players/?page=5
**Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins: The Marlins made it very clear to the inquiring Red Sox that Ramirez was not available. According to a source familiar with the talks, the Sox were quickly rebuffed and word is there was never mention of players the Red Sox could offer to entice the Marlins.**
Posted by: Rolling{Night}Hawk{09} | January 04, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Latest**
Posted by: Rolling{Night}Hawk{09} | January 04, 2009 at 02:10 PM
"Let Varitek and Boras think about arbitration offer, during spring training. I think 6 weeks away from catchers and pitchers reporting."
They can't accept arbitration now. Too late. It's done.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 04, 2009 at 02:11 PM
The clock is running on Varitek. If the Sox sign Zaun, there goes the only potential suitor for Tek. The clock is ticking.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 04, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Interesting. A better player than Varitek. Hope this does not happen. Zaun/Bard would be a good combo behind the plate.
Question: What happens if no team wants Varitek? Does he eventually no longer become a Type A guy? It is ridiculous that any team would give up a first round pick for him.
Posted by: NJYankeeFan | January 04, 2009 at 02:17 PM
I like the idea of this. He hits a bit better than Tek does and he can be here to welcome in the younger ones and help mentor them.
I would much rather have Tek back if he would take a realistic offer just because of his captaincy skills, but screw him if he's going to try and get us for 5-6MM more than he really deserves.. maybe a little less.
I also don't know if we should try and deal for a star catcher like McCann. I do though like the idea of the 3 way with Peavy, because that could potentially work very well for everyone.
Posted by: Ben | January 04, 2009 at 02:21 PM
"they should be the boston WHITE sox featuring big papi"
You're 50 years late on making that joke.
Posted by: icedrake523 | January 04, 2009 at 02:22 PM
"i wonder if this is a sign the sox are moving on from varitek and are going to make a deal for a younger catcher."
Did Zaun find the fountain of youth or do you consider 37 as being a young catcher?
Posted by: A | January 04, 2009 at 02:23 PM
they'll bring him in to compete for a back-up role as they did last year with cash and mirabelli.
i wonder if this is a sign the sox are moving on from varitek and are going to make a deal for a younger catcher.
any chance they help the braves get peavy with the pitching prospects and get mccann?
Posted by: gmac | January 04, 2009 at 01:17 PM
===================
There is no way in any dimension Heaven or Hell that Brian McCann is traded. The Braves do not NEED Peavy that bad.
We do not need him to the point that we weaken our line up even more than it already is. Who is an All-Star Caliber catcher of 3 years that would replace him? who would replace his bat in the line-up?
come on everyone can fantasize but thats just plain stupid. It makes no sense.
They already need power added to the line up. that means we have to sign two bats instead of just one.
I'll take a rotation of 3-4 solid #2's and #3's rather than trading our allstar catcher.
Posted by: drumzalicious | January 04, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Saito is like 40 years old, so having him under control for three more years or eighty more years really does not matter...
He is injured and unlikely to make it through 2009 no less come back again in his 40s...
Posted by: MikeClarke | January 04, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Greg Zaun is arguably one of the worse defensive catchers EVER. And isn't that ironic? You suck at defense and you're supposed to e a catcher. He's just the very crappy version of Piazza.
Posted by: Ed The Cubbie Genius | January 04, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Varitek will be 37 at start of season.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 04, 2009 at 03:04 PM
A-
I think he means it's a sign that we will not give Tek the 2 years 20MM he wants and instead find a replacement in the meantime until we can find the catcher we want to give a big contract to.
Posted by: Ben | January 04, 2009 at 03:17 PM
You must be kidding. It costs what to watch a game at Fenway Park? Let's get a young catcher with potential. Texas has two. We need one.
steve
Posted by: Steve | January 04, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Do you think there might be a coach that could teach Ortiz to bunt to third base? Is a single O.K? Is Francona forbidden to suggest anything to the stars? By the way, Francona isn't the coach to teach anything.
Posted by: Steve | January 04, 2009 at 03:41 PM
"Greg Zaun is arguably one of the worse defensive catchers EVER. And isn't that ironic? You suck at defense and you're supposed to e a catcher. He's just the very crappy version of Piazza."
Zaun's defense isn't that bad, he just cant throw, only neither can 'Tek anymore..
If Zaun can be signed at a discount like Casey was last season for that "last chance at a ribg" discount for in the say, 3-4 million range, I say do it and let both 'Tek abd Boras fin a backup job in Oakland, NY, or wherever he can scrounge up a minimal offer.
Posted by: johns | January 04, 2009 at 03:45 PM
"they should be the boston WHITE sox featuring big papi"
Julio lugo, jacoby ellsbury, david ortiz, matsuzaka, okajima, delcarmen, lopez, lowell, (coco last yr), (Ramirez this yr)
none of those players are the WHITE you are reffering to...
Posted by: GoSoX | January 04, 2009 at 03:45 PM
"Do you think there might be a coach that could teach Ortiz to bunt to third base? Is a single O.K? Is Francona forbidden to suggest anything to the stars? By the way, Francona isn't the coach to teach anything."
Yeah, the opposing team would love for that to happen huh?
Posted by: johns | January 04, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Ignore the race baiters. Shows the juveniles how idiotic they are.
Posted by: johns | January 04, 2009 at 03:49 PM
As a Blue Jays fan, I have deep hatred for the Red Sox. With that said, I will be sincere in saying that I really hope for the sake of Red Sox fans that they don't sign Zaun. No one deserves paying for that.
1. He can't throw.
2. He can't hit.
3. He is a giant baby when he doesn't get playing time.
4. He voices his opinion on everything.
5. He tries to be a club house leader, but isn't.
6. He used the juice and wasn't man enough to admit it. Saddest part is, it didn't help him.
Posted by: malcman | January 04, 2009 at 04:02 PM
texas won't be satisfied unless bucholz is in the deal for one of thier catchers. i would rather make a deal with the indians for shoppach, who is more experienced and is probably the better catcher of the 3 right now. he probably could be had with trading masterson instead of bucholz.
Posted by: azn | January 04, 2009 at 04:39 PM
"they should be the boston WHITE sox featuring big papi"
Varitek is white, so Zaun replacing him isn't making the team anymore or less white.
But, thanks for trying numbskull.
Posted by: baseball09 | January 04, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Come on malcman, Zaun isn't that bad.
His arm isn't the greatest, but AJ/McGowan slow delivery were responsible for a lot of SB
He's great at blocking the plate.
Decent bat, low average, good OBP, some pop. I hope he signs just so Veritek's greed back fires on him
Posted by: basehitbjswintheeast | January 04, 2009 at 05:49 PM
I would like to see Zaun and Bard as the combination for 2009. They can more than do the job and if the Sox need to make a change, they can trade for a catcher at the trading deadline because they have enough young talent in the minors.
Posted by: Ryan | January 04, 2009 at 07:18 PM
The team makes more than any other team in baseball. Except for maybe the Yankees. I think we can afford a catcher. And a shortstop. Who wants to win? Is it the Sox brASS?
Posted by: Steve | January 04, 2009 at 08:13 PM
How about Lowe and Cabrera?
Posted by: Steve | January 04, 2009 at 08:15 PM
I dont want Sox trading none of our young pitchers to Texas.
I looked up Salty's minor league stats and the most he has ever caught in one season is 90 games. .986 Fielding Avg. In 3 minor league seasons his avg. for fielding is .986. Kotteras has caught more games with a much better fielding avg. No need to go there. Just bring the kids up, wait till July 31, when Texas is out of the race, see what our kids are doing pitching and catching then maybe get better deal then, with lower prospects. Lets see what Teagarden does a whole season hitting and catching in the major leagues, with a terrible staff. Be patient on this move.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 04, 2009 at 08:18 PM
How many Molina's are there?We might be able to use one.
Posted by: Steve | January 04, 2009 at 08:18 PM
Red Sox are not interested in Lowe, I do not know where this rumor got started, but I dont believe it. Forget Cabrera, Sox are not giving up draft picks for him.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 04, 2009 at 08:22 PM
I understand great catchers are hard to find but, man, we are debating garbage right now. The best anyone can muster up is one of these options "should be good enough". Hopefully, things will sort out by the mid-season trade deadline.
Posted by: el clash combo | January 04, 2009 at 08:36 PM
If the BoSox can sign somebody mediocre like Zaun/LoDuca/Varitek and wait 2 months into the season, the Rangers might be convinced that they are in a pennant race if they come out of the gates quickly and will then be more reasonable on one of their 3 catching prospects.
Moreover, if one of the 3 rangers under-achieves early they may be willing to deal that one more reasonably at the end of spring training, allowing the Sox to get out from under that non-guaranteed $$ they gave to Bard and keep an old-guy/prospect platoon
Posted by: Mattyc44 | January 05, 2009 at 11:23 AM