Gregg Zaun Rumors

Matt Wieters Update

Matt Wieters began the season as baseball's number one prospect, but we haven't heard much about him so far in 2009. Some took notice when he missed a bit of time because of a hamstring issue, but his season at AAA Norfolk has mostly been quiet. He's played well, though not incredibly, hitting one homer and batting .297/.391/.405 with 12 walks and 17 strikeouts. Gregg Zaun and Chad Moeller have combined for only 21 hits in 100 at bats for the O's, so they're not blocking Wieters' path. His main obstacle is time. If the Orioles called Wieters up today,...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Prospects, Alfonzo, Zimmerman

Links for Wednesday... Cardinals GM John Mozeliak subjected himself to all kinds of questions from fans today in an online chat. It sounds like he might do a little spring tinkering. It seems that the Angels will go with internal options for the fifth starter job. The Rangers, Rays, and A's are atop Keith Law's farm system rankings, with the Tigers, Nationals, and Astros bringing up the rear. Orioles infielder Oscar Salazar is likely on the chopping block to make room for Gregg Zaun. Kyodo News reports that Edgardo Alfonzo will try out for the Yomiuri Giants. Dave Sheinin says...   Continue Reading

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Marlins Prefer To Add A Catcher

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says that moreso than signing Andruw Jones, the Marlins would like to add a veteran catcher to pair with John Baker. Ivan Rodriguez makes sense, but Frisaro says the Fish would probably only offer him the league minimum. Pudge wants $3MM, says Ken Rosenthal. The Marlins had late-December interest in Gregg Zaun, but $2MM was out of their price range. Frisaro says they've been exploring trading for Rangers backstop Max Ramirez (the price would certainly be young pitching).   Continue Reading

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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.   Continue Reading

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Orioles Closing In On Deal With Zaun

12:42pm: Roch Kubatko heard the Zaun deal is "pretty much done" assuming he passes his physical. 8:36am: According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are "closing in on a one-year deal" with catcher Gregg Zaun. Zaun's agent Dan Evans had been busy with the Kenshin Kawakami deal, but Zrebiec says the Orioles should have Zaun signed by week's end. Zaun came up with the Orioles in '95 and was traded to the Marlins the following year.   Continue Reading

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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....   Continue Reading

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Orioles Rumors: Roberts, Uehara, Zaun, Pudge

10:46pm: Roch Kubatko says Zaun wants a two-year deal but the Orioles prefer one year. The O's are also talking with Ivan Rodriguez. Kubatko adds that Kenshin Kawakami was seeking a three-year deal. In another post, Kubatko says the O's have no interest in Shelley Duncan, but Richie Sexson and Ty Wigginton are possibilities for first base. Peter Schmuck adds Nick Swisher, Ryan Garko, Billy Butler, and Ryan Shealy as trade possibilities. Dan Connolly says the Orioles offered Brian Roberts a multiyear extension at about $10MM per, but the two sides have not made progress and Roberts doesn't want talks...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Swisher, Nady, Kapler, Zaun

The latest from Ken Rosenthal. A recent Ned Colletti-Scott Boras conversation about Manny Ramirez didn't result in progress. Boras still has his sights on at least $100MM over four years. Rosenthal adds that Manny is "cool to the idea of playing in San Francisco." Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing "significant interest." Rosenthal speculates that the Giants, Braves, or Pirates would make sense. The door is not closed with the Yankees and Andy Pettitte. Pettitte recently rejected the Yanks' one-year, $10MM offer. Some Mets people prefer Oliver Perez to Derek Lowe. The Braves have yet to speak to Boras...   Continue Reading

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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...   Continue Reading

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Zaun Likes Orioles, Has Several Offers

Roch Kubatko spoke with Gregg Zaun and heard that there's been no shortage of interest in the free agent catcher. Zaun said he's received several offers, some of which are for more than one year. Zaun's confident that some of the teams interested are playoff-bound, but he still sounds interested in Baltimore, saying "the Orioles are still very important to me." Zaun seems excited about working with Matt Wieters, about whom he's heard "great things." Even though discussions are "heating up pretty good" according to Zaun, he doesn't expect a deal before Christmas.   Continue Reading

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