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.
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.
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.
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, he'd accumulate enough service time this year (almost 150 days) to become a Super Two player. This means he'd cost the Orioles more money in the future because he'd go to arbitration four times.
- If they wait until June 1st to call Wieters up, he won't accumulate more than 126 days service time. This would likely prevent him from becoming a Super Two and would likely save the Orioles millions of dollars in years ahead.
- Waiting until June 1st or later also allows the Orioles to make sure Wieters is ready for the majors when he arrives. They can endure their soft-hitting catchers this year, because they're not a contender, so it would be a surprise to see the prospect called up soon.
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 Kevin Youkilis is a good comp for Ryan Zimmerman. The midpoint between Zimmerman’s and the Nationals’ arbitration submissions would be a $3.325MM.
- I sincerely appreciate all the submissions for the Saturday evening writer gig. I’m happy to welcome D.J. Blatter aboard as our newest blogger.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Zaun would likely be the starter until Matt Wieters is ready to go.
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 dragging into the season. Andy MacPhail said he hasn’t had trade talks for Roberts for at least a month. As for Nick Markakis, the sides were about $10MM apart on a possible six-year extension.
11:31am: Orioles notes…
- As you know, the Orioles reached an agreement with their first-ever Japanese player, Koji Uehara. It’s a two-year deal worth $10MM guaranteed, with another $6MM in incentives and bonuses. Patrick Newman offers commentary on the signing, which is not getting a ton of press in the Japanese media. Keith Law wonders if Baltimore was a wise choice for Uehara.
- Dan Connolly says the Orioles’ immediate priority is now to add a catcher, with Gregg Zaun and Ivan Rodriguez the candidates.
- Peter Schmuck says the O’s are looking for a reserve infielder as well. They’ve talked to Chris Gomez‘s agent and Willie Bloomquist "might be another possibility."