Gregg Zaun Rumors

Rays Rumors: Crawford, Upton, Zaun

Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times has the latest on the Rays' offseason plans. The highlights: The Rays are said to be interested in discussing a long-term extension with Carl Crawford. If the team does decide to move him, however, the Mets and Braves have expressed interest. The Rangers and White Sox are among the teams interested in acquiring B.J. Upton. Executive VP Andrew Friedman on his team's offseason targets: "We have a list of guys on other teams we have an interest in, and a list of free agents as well. And depending on how the market evolves...   Continue Reading

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Rays Pick Up Crawford's Option, Decline Options On Zaun and Shouse

2:47pm: The team picked up Crawford's option, but declined Zaun's and Shouse's according to Smith. Zaun will received a $500K buyout, Shouse $200K. 11:35pm: The Rays have three player options they must make decisions about in the not too distant future, and Joe Smith of The St. Petersburg Times reports that those decisions may come as soon as today. Carl Crawford's $10MM option appears likely to be picked up according to Smith, but he says "an even bigger question is whether Crawford and the Rays can come to an agreement on an extension during the offseason." The longest tenured Ray...   Continue Reading

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2009 Elias Rankings Released

The 2009 Elias Rankings have been released, and Ed Price of AOL FanHouse has a full list of the Type-A and B free agents. Our 2010 MLB Free Agent list has been updated, and below is a summary of differences between the official rankings, and those projected by Eddie Bajek. Chone Figgins qualifies as a Type-A, not a Type-B as projected. Vladimir Guerrero qualifies as a Type-B, not a Type-A as projected. Gregg Zaun goes from no compensation to Type-B. Jerry Hairston Jr. goes from Type-B to no compensation. Hideki Matsui goes from Type-B to no compensation. Aubrey Huff goes...   Continue Reading

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Cafardo on Gonzalez, Martinez, Webb, Lackey

In his column today, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo brings us a great deal of tidbits from around the majors: Former Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi and ex-Padres GM Kevin Towers will "likely surface somewhere soon." Cafardo wonders aloud if new Padres GM Jed Hoyer could work out a deal with his former club and send Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. One AL GM identified Gonzalez and Heath Bell as major chips that could be moved as part of a rebuilding effort. Hoyer is obviously familiar with Boston's assets, but Theo Epstein might be reluctant to part with Casey Kelly, Clay Buchholz...   Continue Reading

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Rays Rumors: Zobrist, Iwamura, Kapler

MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez provides the latest on a few Tampa Bay Rays: If Ben Zobrist becomes the team's everyday second baseman, the club may decide to bring free agent-to-be Gabe Kapler back as a backup outfielder. Kapler made $1MM this year and hit .239/.329/.439 in 245 trips to the plate. If the club keeps Zobrist at second, it appears highly unlikely that the Rays would pick up Akinori Iwamura's $4.25MM option. Other club options to watch: Carl Crawford at $10MM, Gregg Zaun at $2MM and Brian Shouse at $1.9MM. It's likely that the team will look for affordable late-inning relief...   Continue Reading

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Zaun Hopes To Return To Rays In 2010

With Dioner Navarro struggling immensely, Tampa Bay hoped to improve its catching situation down the stretch by acquiring Gregg Zaun from Baltimore. Zaun held up his end of the bargain, hitting .286/.323/.495 for the Rays, but the team has faltered, going just 23-29 since the trade. Regardless of the club's late season struggles, Zaun said he hopes to return to Tampa in 2010, and maybe even beyond, according to Joe Smith of The St. Petersburg Times. "I'm very interested. I know this team is going to be a competitive group of guys," Zaun, 38, said. "I love the coaching staff....   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Orioles, Angels, Ackley

Some Sunday morning odds and ends from around the league: The Orioles received first baseman Rhyne Hughes from the Rays to complete the August 7 deal for Gregg Zaun, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The O's also sent more than $300K to the Rays. According to Connolly, the 25-year old Hughes "hit .313 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 56 games at Triple-A Durham and .252 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs in 58 games at Double-A Montgomery this season. He struck out 149 combined times in 440 at-bats this year." Ed Eagle of MLB.com reports the...   Continue Reading

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Hughes Sent To O's, Completes Zaun Deal

According to Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune, the Rays have sent 25-year-old first baseman Rhyne Hughes to Baltimore to complete last week's trade for veteran catcher Gregg Zaun. Hughes is batting .282/.350/.516 with 22 home runs and 72 RBI this season in 440 at-bats between Triple-A Durham and Double-A Montgomery. He has also struck out 149 times. Zaun, 38, is 5-for-15 with two doubles and a solo home run in his short time with Rays.   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Zaun, D'Backs, Byrd

A few more links to read as we try to figure out who claimed Alex Rios... Gregg Zaun told Roch Kubatko of MASN.com that he was "totally shocked" to hear he was traded to the Rays. The D'Backs agreed to terms with Chris Owings, the 41st overall pick in this year's draft, on a $950k deal, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Owings, a high school shortstop, signed for $135k above slot. Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe reports that it may be three weeks before Paul Byrd is ready.   Continue Reading

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Rays Acquire Gregg Zaun

The Rays acquired catcher Gregg Zaun from the Orioles for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to an Orioles press release. Just last week the Rays were in on Victor Martinez as they looked for depth behind the plate. Like Martinez, Zaun is a switch hitter under contract for this year with a club option for 2010. Zaun makes $1.5MM this year and the Rays will choose between a $500k buyout and a $2MM option for next season. So far in 2009, the 38-year-old is hitting .244/.355/.375 with four homers.   Continue Reading

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