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« Padres Claim Jae Kuk Ryu Off Waivers | Main | Odds And Ends: Garland, Selig, Arbitration »
Zaun Agrees To Terms With Orioles
Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reports that Gregg Zaun has agreed to a one year contract with the Orioles that includes a team option for 2010. Zaun will earn $1.5MM in 2009 and the Orioles have the option of paying him $2MM in 2010 or buying him out for $500K.
A physical is scheduled for Tuesday.
Orioles president Andy MacPhail said he expects Zaun to do the "lion's share of the catching" at first, even with top prospect Matt Wieters around.
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Just looking at Wieters' numbers in the minors. If he can translate that to the majors, he will break the "M" last name stronghold on the top tier of MLB catchers (Martin, Mauer, McCann). That guy is a freak.
Posted by: AA | January 15, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Agreed. Wieters could step in I really think and be a top ten catcher right now. I wish they would have given him the job to start the year, but perhaps it's for the best.
Posted by: CubbyFan23 | January 15, 2009 at 09:32 PM
honestly, lets say ivan rodriguez was 4MM for 1 year and they just spent 2MM for 1 year with zaun who will also be non exsistant on offense. i think it was worth the 2MM to have ivan and if the rookie steps up you have value for trade with ivan throughout the season also even a down year with ivan will be more than zauns best.
Posted by: jim | January 15, 2009 at 09:36 PM
"honestly, lets say ivan rodriguez was 4MM for 1 year and they just spent 2MM for 1 year with zaun who will also be non exsistant on offense."
Zaun actually is much stronger these days at getting on base than I-Rod. While there is no doubt Pudge is a HOFer, Zaun offers more value today now that Ivan's bat has slowed.
Posted by: AA | January 15, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Zaun isn't non existent on offense, he has been a better hitter than Pudge for at least 3 years now and overall is a solid hitting catcher. He's a switch hitter with a good eye who always gives you a good AB. He's the PERFECT bridge to Wieters.
Posted by: 92-93 | January 15, 2009 at 09:53 PM
>>Agreed. Wieters could step in I really think and be a top ten catcher right now. I wish they would have given him the job to start the year, but perhaps it's for the best.<<
he could always win the job in spring training or early into the season.
when you produce it's hard to sit you, you know?
Posted by: mybeastwithin | January 15, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Statistically speaking: Switch-hitters are often more adept at hitting from one side of the plate than the other. That's kind of the case with Wieters, who hit .340 with a .454 on-base percentage and .542 slugging percentage (a .995 OPS) against right-handed pitching in 2008. That, believe it or not, was his weak side -- against left-handed pitching, Wieters hit .392 with a .454 OBP and .744 SLG for a 1.198 OPS.
Scouting report: Wieters does everything well but run. He has tremendous plate discipline and bat speed and the ability to hit for average and power from both sides of the plate. He's remarkably agile behind the plate -- especially considering his size -- with good hands and an above-average arm. He has performed well handling pitchers and calling games with a quiet leadership that is a big plus.
kid is a beast!
Posted by: mybeastwithin | January 15, 2009 at 10:22 PM
"Wieters does everything well but run" to HECK with running! so long as he can score from third on a single I don't care. it's not like the man will be playing center field!!
Posted by: trmahoney01 | January 15, 2009 at 10:37 PM
"honestly, lets say ivan rodriguez was 4MM for 1 year and they just spent 2MM for 1 year with zaun who will also be non exsistant on offense."
It really doesn't matter. Even when Wieters does come up, someone will have to be the backup.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 16, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Why would you O's fans want I-Rod in there? He is not going to help the kid learn, and as we have seen the past couple of years, whines when his role gets reduced for the good of the club.
Zaun is going to come in knowing what his role is going to be and knowing that at some point the kid probably will take his job.
The 2 million saved here by McFail was for the best.
Posted by: fearbobafett | January 16, 2009 at 08:04 AM
His defensive isn't so hot, I think he's typically ranked bottom 5 in the league for caught-stealing percentage.
On offense though, he does a good job of working the count which translates into a lot of walks. From time to time he can rip a ball right down the base line for timely RBI-double especially when batting lefty.
Overall an ok pickup for the Orioles although I suspect that they'll be buying him out at the end of the season.
Posted by: sngbk | January 16, 2009 at 08:15 AM
You have to introduce him to "the show" gradually. It's not good to put all the responsibility on a young prospect, even one like Wieters. That's why I think having a vet like Zaun sharing duties with him is for the best.
Posted by: Yankee for l1fe | January 18, 2009 at 10:51 PM