5:49pm: Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star reports (on Twitter) that no offer has been made to Rodriguez, be it a contract or invitation to camp.
3:36pm: Royals GM Dayton Moore was told that Rodriguez still wants to play "at some point,'' but is not ready to join the club now, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
1:14pm: The Royals are interested in bringing Ivan Rodriguez into camp following the injury to starting catcher Salvador Perez, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Rodriguez is currently thinking about the opportunity and hasn't decided whether he will accept the offer.
The 40-year-old has said that he wants to keep playing and has been waiting for an opportunity. Both the Rays and Mets have appeared as possibilities this offseason but neither club seems interested at this juncture.
Pudge was limited by injuries in 2011, hitting .218/.281/.323 in just 44 games for the Nationals.
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
Rodriguez is not a good hitter anymore, but the bar is pretty low at C. And while I don’t really buy in to the “veteran presence” idea, this might be an instance where it could help a bit. Having a guy behind the plate with that much experience could benefit those young pitchers from a mental standpoint.
No surprise.
I like this. Good guy to work with the young staff, and when Sal is able to return, they can split the duties to ease him back in AND gives him a chance to learn from one of the greats. It’s a no risk move.
Finally! Happy for Pudge and only good things can happen to Royals’ pitching staff now.
I really hope Pudge is able to make a roster and collect his 3,000th hit within the next couple of years. I wish it were with the Rangers, but i’ll be happy for him no matter where he does it. The Royals have nothing to lose in this situation.
He’s never going to get his 3000th hit, but he’s a HOFer regardless.
He only needs 156 more hits. It’s not like it’s impossible. That’s why I said the next couple of seasons.
I read what you wrote…I’m just predicting that it won’t happen. He’d essentially have to stay healthy and be a team’s primary catcher for two more full seasons, and I’m pretty confident that his body isn’t on the same page as his heart.
Have fun watching games from your couch Pudge.
Lol Royals fan…
Hmmmm.
Will pudge get a 4 or 5 year deal?
hall of famer yeah right.. Pudge did Roids facts.. If Barry Bonds doesn’t get into hall of fame than anyone else who took Roids doesn’t have a chance..
Go away
5:49 Update: No offer by Royals to Rodriguez. Are you telling me Jon Heyman would write about a Scott Boras client for no reason?
He could never play for the Royals. Every time he’d step up to the plate, he would have flashbacks of striking out against Tony Pena Jr.