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« Pedro Talking With Marlins | Main | Brewers Rumors: Sheets, Cameron, Swisher »
Orioles Close To Signing Zaun
8:45pm: Roch Kubatko has an update based on a direct conversation with Gregg Zaun.
From Kubatko: "The former Orioles catcher says team president Andy MacPhail and agent Dan Evans have been able to 'bridge the gap a little bit better, and recent conversations have been encouraging.'"
Kubatko expects Zaun to be signed next week, and suggests the Orioles are in control of the situation since the free agent catcher is willing to accept a one-year deal.
4:43pm: Peter Schmuck at the Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles are "very close" to signing free agent catcher Gregg Zaun to a one-year deal.
Zaun would likely be the starter until Matt Wieters is ready to go.
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I think the red sox should consider him.. Would be an upgrade to Tek, and hes only a year older. Oh well!
Posted by: Kulaid | January 10, 2009 at 04:47 PM
As long as he's not going to complain when wieters comes up and he plays only twice a week but overall nice sign. Nice to have zaun back now with gomez i really have that warm fuzzy fealing inside don't you?
Posted by: Dj 26 | January 10, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Sorry i kind of jumped the gun it's not official guess i better not jump to conclutions.
Posted by: Dj 26 | January 10, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Good for the Orioles and bad if Boston brass thinks it has to have someone other than Bard + Kottaras/Brown as a catcher and insists on bringing 'Tek back..
hey Baltimore.. Why don't you guys take a look at Varitek instead please..
Posted by: johns | January 10, 2009 at 04:49 PM
decent move
Posted by: Kramerica Industries | January 10, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Wieters will be ready on day 1, but the O's might try to wait on him to extend his service time.
Posted by: nostocksjustbonds | January 10, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Seems like a really good fit, he's previously played with them, and I believe he is also related to former Orioles Manager Johnny Oates.
Posted by: imrichiesdad | January 10, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Zaun = the guy who will be delaying Wieters' free agency until 2015.
Posted by: vtadave | January 10, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Johns,
Why would the Orioles go after a 37 y/o type A free agent catcher that turned down 11 mil a year in arb when they have the number one catching prospect in baseball and desperatley need pitching....
Gregg Zaun is a good signing for the Orioles, if it happens I won't believe it until I see him in a uniform on opening day...
Posted by: fearthechant | January 10, 2009 at 05:05 PM
imrichiesdad, he is related to Rick Dempsey....
Posted by: fearthechant | January 10, 2009 at 05:08 PM
I'm ok with Zaun. Nice to have 2 switch hitting catchers.
Posted by: XD23 | January 10, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Ug I hope weiters is never ready, kids a BEAST.
Posted by: Casanova Wong | January 10, 2009 at 05:31 PM
It was meant as a joke fearthe chant and also.. "tek may have turned down 10 million (his 2008 salary) in arbitration, but that does not mean that he is going to get a dime over 4-5 million this off season, plus his being a Type A has -0- effect with Baltimore, being in the 16-20 range of the 30 teams and having to give up nothing for signing any type of FA.
Posted by: johns | January 10, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Not like the O's fans have much else to look forward to this year other then Wieters.
Posted by: XD23 | January 10, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Actually the O's would be giving up a top 75 pick if they did sign 'Tek. Since they'd have to give up the 2nd round pick.
Posted by: XD23 | January 10, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Zaun is related to Orioles World Series MVP Rick Dempsey, not Johnny Oates. His nephew.
Posted by: basemonkey | January 10, 2009 at 06:19 PM
I am a Braves fan and all i got to say is this is great. The Braves kept Estrada around and let Brian Mcann start here or ther. A great recipe. Now bmac is a 3 time all star and wieters is on his way!
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Johns on Varitek,
his being a Type A has -0- effect with Baltimore, being in the 16-20 range of the 30 teams and having to give up nothing for signing any type of FA.
XD23 I'm glad someone else understands Type A and Type B free agents
Johns, no way the Orioles would give up a top 75 draft pick to the Redsox or anyone else in the AL East for a 37 y/o limited ability catcher....
So him being a Type A free agent does effect the Orioles....
Posted by: fearthechant | January 10, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Sic transit Pudge.
Posted by: pmc765 | January 10, 2009 at 07:04 PM
I think the Sox should look at Blanco. Handles a staff very well, can hit better than Tek, .250s range, and shouldnt cost too much. It looks like the cubs are looking to Bako, so i wonder where Blanco falls.
Posted by: chicubs25 | January 10, 2009 at 07:38 PM
"Not like the O's fans have much else to look forward to this year other then Wieters."
Actually the O's have a lot of young pitching that could make its way up this year that should be exciting. Tillman should be fun to watch.
Posted by: chicubs25 | January 10, 2009 at 07:44 PM
For anyone who's sick of hearing that the Yankees buy their championships, take a look at this article:
http://riveravereview.blogspot.com/2009/01/defending-steinbrenner-way.html
Posted by: jett | January 10, 2009 at 09:21 PM
I don't see the O's bring up anyone of the top 3 minor league pitchers until 2010. From what I have read in the papers around here anyway.
Posted by: XD23 | January 10, 2009 at 09:23 PM
"I don't see the O's bring up anyone of the top 3 minor league pitchers until 2010. From what I have read in the papers around here anyway."
Having a nice, solid vet like Zaun just around period can help if they do decide to bring up one of the younger pitchers. it never hurts to get a guy like this if they can on the cheap.
How many times do I have to say it was a joke for the O's to sign 'Tek?
You got me on the 2nd rounder as comp.. Yep, U R correct.
Posted by: johns | January 10, 2009 at 09:34 PM
That article was a little off topic from Greg Zaun, but I thought it was excellent.
Posted by: Hawkeye86 | January 10, 2009 at 09:44 PM
BREAKING NEWS
wieters walks on water, o's organization is dynasty-ready
Posted by: marlinsman1120 | January 10, 2009 at 09:59 PM
HAHA marlinsman1120, he may not walk on water but he hits bombs that can hit the moon........ next man to hit the warehouse...
Posted by: fearthechant | January 10, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Even a 2nd round draft pick is worth more than Jason Varitek, unless he is playing at the league minimum.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 10, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Scott Boras must be shaking in his boots right now. There goes another VTek suitor.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 10, 2009 at 10:42 PM
this plan sounds great but what if weiters struggles some at AAA. everyone here expects him to be starting in mid season if not on opening day but arnt we pushing him alot. the acc is so intense its probably comparable to single a and some double a squads. im just playing devils advocate but sometimes these blue chip prospects hit a road block.
Posted by: clemsontribe24 | January 10, 2009 at 10:57 PM
"this plan sounds great but what if weiters struggles some at AAA. everyone here expects him to be starting in mid season if not on opening day but arnt we pushing him alot. the acc is so intense its probably comparable to single a and some double a squads. im just playing devils advocate but sometimes these blue chip prospects hit a road block"
Although it was only 7 games and 25 at bats Evan Longoria only batted .200 in AAA before being called up so I don't think if Wieters puts up less than stellar numbers in a short minor league stint that the Orioles will choose not to bring him up.
Posted by: BraveOriole | January 10, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I would get a younger, less expensive catcher in case
Weiters isn't ready for the big time. Yanks already got Kevin Cash.
Posted by: Giantsfan17 | January 10, 2009 at 11:42 PM
I have to see this Wieters kid play. From what I'm reading, he's a stud.
Posted by: Cinco Ocho | January 11, 2009 at 12:09 AM
According to the program I have, they spell it Weiters. Nice kid too, autographed it for me and have a couple of photos of hmm with my kids. Got to love the Minors. I dont think they are worried about his hitting, maybe the long season in the Majors, is going to be more grueling. 3 games I saw him he tore the cover off the ball. Both sides of the plate. As A Sox fan I'll be rooting for him.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 11, 2009 at 03:53 AM
He signed it Weiters.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 11, 2009 at 03:58 AM
I was hoping Sox would go for Zaun, another year of those K'S from Varitek, with men on base and I am going to go crazy.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 11, 2009 at 04:01 AM
What does this do to Pudge? What team might sign him now? Boston, just to make sure they won't resign Tek? Texas to have their 40th catcher on their 40 man roster? LA so he can look good as Russell Martin plays 160 games next season? Or Japan where Pudge actually gets to play every day?
Posted by: DodgersBruin | January 11, 2009 at 07:30 AM
What about the nats for pudge they want a catcher to push flores and even after estrada and loDuca being busts i still think he would be a good mentor to flores.
Posted by: Dj 26 | January 11, 2009 at 09:11 AM
It's "Matt Wieters." You switched around the I and E. Pronounced "Weeders", not "Whiters."
Posted by: basemonkey | January 11, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Zaun would be a good fit. He's the nephew of Rick Dempsey, catcher of past O's good teams.
Posted by: Birds Still | January 12, 2009 at 03:05 PM