The Padres are close to a deal with free agent catcher Gregg Zaun, reports Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Earlier today we learned that San Diego was closing in on a contract with Chad Qualls, so GM Jed Hoyer is close to addressing two issues he recently identified.
Zaun, 40 in April, missed most of the 2010 season after having surgery to repair a damaged labrum in his throwing shoulder. In 117 plate appearances with the Brewers, he hit a solid .265/.350/.392 with two homers and nearly as many walks (11) as strikeouts (12). The switch-hitting catcher has thrown out just 24% of attempted base stealers in his career, even less in recent years, and that doesn't figure to get any better after his recent injury.
The Padres were looking to add some depth behind the plate after parting ways with Yorvit Torrealba. Zaun will likely compete with Rob Johnson and Guillermo Quiroz to serve as Nick Hundley's backup.
Padres are somewhat busy today. RP and a catcher.
Zaun is still alive?
the Zaunbie cannot die
I thought he should have retired and went into broadcasting job
He’s been doing broadcasting for a few years now. But if someone wants him to play, why wouldn’t he? It’s not like he’s got some legacy of top performance to uphold. Good for him. He always said he wanted to catch into his 40s.
zaun still a decent catcher, good to see he got another job.
Zaun is a stand up guy and would be a great teacher to younger catchers coming through the system. He started off real bad last year by going 0-21 or 22 I think. He was starting to be real productive though when he went down with his shoulder.
Jed Hoyer definitely won’t complain about that OBP coming from their catcher
Ugh, I really wanted him to end up with the Twins so we didn’t have to suffer through the torture of seeing Drew Butera put up 200+ plate appearances. Is Bill Smith kidding? :-
Nice grab for the Padres.
He’s been a back up nearly his whole career, so he should have a little tread on the tires left. The Padres won’t get the production out of Zaun that they did out of Torrealba, but this is still a solid pick up. This Hoyer kid seems to know what he’s doing.
While I think you’re right, I also don’t think Torrealba’s likely to have the same production in 2011 he had in 2010. When a 31-year-old catcher puts up OPS+/RC+ that are EXTREME outliers for his career, you’re best to let him walk away, get a draft pick, and let someone else be surprised that he’s returned to his career norm.
I think they will miss how he handled the pitching staff and him in the clubhouse. He seemed like a very team oriented guy. From what I read he didn’t want to come back anyway, so it’s a moot point.
The veterans that left he Padres were scared away by the (soon to be) Adrian deal. Screw those guys, youth is going to be how the Padres win games until they get an owner that can spend money on payroll instead of using it to buy a team. It works for me, because I enjoy watching young players.
I think they have an owner who will spend money on payroll, he’s just choosing to get the team outright before he does. I don’t know if it’s youth that is going to win games for the Padres, but athletes sure will and Hoyer seems to have recognized this and is reacting. Although I loved Towers in his time with the Padres, he never seemed to build a team for Petco. The Padres need 3 centerfielders at Petco to run down balls, Hoyer essentially has 2 now ( Venable & Maybin ). I really like what Hoyer is doing and with the rise in payroll in the future, I think Padre fans will be very happy.
I like Zaun for my Padres
Good move Padres. You’re gonna need Zaun cause Johnson and Quiroz are terrible.