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| The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired catcher Gregg Zaun from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later, according to the Twitter page of baseball writer Ed Price. |
Our View: Zaun was only not getting much playing time behind Matt Wieters in Baltimore, and he doesn't figure to be more than catching depth in Tampa either. Zaun is hitting .244 this season, and is not an offensive option for anyone.
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| Gregg Zaun made the most of his start on Sunday as he powered the Orioles to a 10-2 win over the White Sox. Zaun went 3-for-4 with a home run, a run scored, and four RBI in the game. |
Our View: With ultra-prospect Matt Wieters in the fold in Baltimore, Zaun is finding it difficult to get in the lineup. He very rarely puts together offensive days like this, but when he does it is a nice added bonus for the team. He should continue to mentor Wieters and sit behind him for the rest of the second half unless Wieters really starts to struggle.
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| According to MLB.com, the Orioles are undecided at this point which catcher will be moved to make room for Matt Wieters, who is scheduled to make his debut Friday. Gregg Zaun has started for most of the year, but some of the pitchers have shown a preference to throw to Chad Moeller. |
Our View: It would seem easy that Zaun would be the backup to Wieters, but his lack of production this season combined with the apparent preference of pitchers towards Moeller could spell doom for the veteran. Neither Zaun or Moeller will have any fantasy value, but we will keep you updated on the Orioles' decision.
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| Gregg Zaun is out of today's lineup against the Yankees to rest his elbow and shoulder which were sore in spring training, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
Our View: Zaun is 37 and only averages 98 games played over the last three seasons. Chad Moeller is starting behind the plate.
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| MASN reports that Gregg Zaun felt no pain in his elbow after a round of batting practice and some light throwing on Wednesday morning. The catcher had received a cortisone shot for pain in the joint on Sunday. |
Our View: Zaun figures to be the opening day catcher barring any setbacks. He should be able to play at some point this weekend, but his fantasy value is no better than a backup catcher.
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| MASN reports that Gregg Zaun received a cortisone shot in his elbow on Sunday and will not take part in baseball related activities for at least two days. He does not figure to start in a game again until Friday. He is not expected to land on the DL. |
Our View: Even if he does go to the DL, the Orioles will rely on Robby Hammock and Chad Moeller rather than Matt Wieters to handle the catching duties. Zaun has minimal value, as do the other two veterans, but we are still hoping to see Wieters by June.
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| Gregg Zaun is considered questionable while nursing a sore elbow, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
Our View: It is uncertain when he will return to the diamond, but Zaun is expected to be ready to go for opening day.
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| The Orioles have finalized Gregg Zaun's one-year deal, according to the Associated Press. He will receive $1.5 million this year, and the Orioles have a $2 million option for 2010 with a $500,000 buyout.
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Our View: The 37-year-old is expected to replace Ramon Hernandez as the No. 1 catcher, and serve as a mentor to Matt Wieters until the prized prospect is ready to take over. Zaun is not expected to hold much fantasy value in 2009.
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| As expected, Gregg Zaun has agreed to a deal with the Orioles, according to the Baltimore Sun. He receives a one-year contract for $1.5 million, with an option for 2010. The deal is pending a physical, which is set for Tuesday. |
Our View: The 37-year-old catcher will start and work as a mentor to Matt Wieters until the prized prospect is ready to take over. Zaun does not look to hold much fantasy value for 2009.
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| The Baltimore Sun reiterated that the Orioles are nearing a deal with catcher Gregg Zaun. |
Our View: It is expected to be a one-year deal, and Zaun would start until prized prospect Matt Wieters is ready to take over. Zaun would not be worth drafting in fantasy leagues.
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| The Orioles are very close to signing free agent catcher Gregg Zaun, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
Our View: The Athletics have also been going after Zaun, but it appears that the Orioles want him even more so that he can mentor top prospect Matt Wieters.
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| Gregg Zaun is on the Athletics' radar, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. |
Our View: The Orioles and Red Sox remain potential suitors for Zaun, namely Boston if they do not bring back Jason Varitek.
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| Expanding on an earlier report, free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun had this to say about his desire to play in Boston next year, according to the Providence Journal: "I'd love it. My agent has had ongoing talks with Boston and I would love to see that happen. 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." |
Our View: Zaun's wishes may go unanswered should the Red Sox come to an agreement with free-agent Jason Varitek. The Red Sox already have the backup catcher role filled, having signed Josh Bard to a deal just last week.
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| Gregg Zaun is reportedly interested in playing for Boston, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Zaun hasn't received an offer from Boston so it's unclear if there would be mutual interest. He would certainly be a better deal than Jason Varitek's high demands, as the two give about the same amount of production.
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| The Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles would like to sign Gregg Zaun to help break-in top catching prospect Matt Wieters, but there is some question as to whether Zaun would be willing to take on such a role. |
Our View: Zaun would seem like a good fit, and at age 37 his other options could be limited.
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| The Baltimore Sun indicates that 37-year-old catcher Gregg Zaun is the Orioles' primary catching target. |
Our View: The Orioles are seeking a veteran to help bring along rookie Matt Wieters next season. Whoever they bring in, would serve mostly as a backup.
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| Gregg Zaun likes the idea of heading back to Baltimore, according to MASN Sports. His agent (Dan Evans) said, "Of course he is considering the Orioles. That's a great baseball city. But there are a number of clubs showing interest in Gregg right now."
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Our View: He started his MLB career with the Orioles back in 1995, when he hit .260 over 40 games. Zaun is now 37 years old, and is only hitting .240 over his last two seasons. His fantasy stock would not improve much with a return to Baltimore.
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| The Tigers are interested in Gregg Zaun, according to the Detroit Free Press. |
Our View: The Tigers need depth at catcher, and Zaun could be used as a mentor for Dusty Ryan. Offensively, Zaun would offer little to the Tigers, and fantasy owners.
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| The Blue Jays have declined to offer salary arbitration to catcher Gregg Zaun, according to the Canadian Press. |
Our View: Zaun appeared in 86 games last year and hit only .237. The veteran catcher will be 38 at the beginning of next season so it will be interesting what the market will be for him.
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| The Blue Jays and Gregg Zaun have agreed to part ways, according to mlblogs.com. Zaun is a free agent and hopes to land a backup job with a contender or a regular role on a team with a young pitching staff. |
Our View: Zaun will be 38 at the beginning of next season. He switch hits and has a bit of pop, so he should have no trouble landing at least a backup job.
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| Toronto catcher Gregg Zaun had a very difficult night, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts to earn the golden sombrero in the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss to New York. |
Our View: Zaun is not a good hitter, but he generally makes contact, having struck out just 33 times in 228 at-bats before Tuesday.
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| The Blue Jays are expected to decline Gregg Zaun's option for 2009, according to the Globe and Mail. |
Our View: The 37-year-old is making $3.75 million this season, while only hitting .222 with six homers and 26 RBI over 78 games. The team is likely going to pick up the $2.4 million option on Rod Barajas, who is hitting for a better average (.249) at less money. Barajas has also been more successful at gunning down runners trying to steal.
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| 37-year old Gregg Zaun capped off a big game with a 13th inning walk-off grand slam off of Rays' closer Troy Percival. He finished the day 3-for-5 with four RBI and a walk. |
Our View: This was just a spot start for the veteran but he made the most of it. Rod Barajas will continue to make the majority of the starts for the Blue Jays behind the dish.
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| The Marlins are reportedly interested in Gregg Zaun, according to the Sun-Sentinel. |
Our View: The Marlins covet a catcher as insurance and depth for Matt Treanor, but the 37-year-old Zaun will merely only be a serviceable option, as he is only hitting .243 over 61 game.
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| Disenchanted Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun reports that he would be more than happy to accept a trade out of Toronto if the team finds the right deal, according to TSN. |
Our View: Zaun's playing time has steadily decreased under manager Cito Gaston to the point where he is now backing up Rod Barajas. His name has popped up in trade rumours of late, the Florida Marlins have reportedly shown some interest, and he's hoping something gets done that will send him to a team that will use him more often.
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| The Blue Jays fought mightily but fell in a tight 5-4 loss to the Brewers. Catcher Gregg Zaun was their weapon of choice, going 2-for-3 with one walk, his seventh double of the season, and his fourth homer to total three RBIs and one run scored on the night. |
Our View: This is just his second game played this month, but Zaun has homered in each of his last three games with five runs scored and seven RBIs scored along the way.
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| Gregg Zaun hit a eighth inning pinch-hit home run off the Cubs reliever Neil Cotts, but it wasn't enough as the Blue Jays dropped their second straight to the Cubs 7-4 on Sunday afternoon. |
Our View: The home run by Zaun was only his third of the season and his first from the right side of the plate.
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| Barring any setbacks, Gregg Zaun will rejoin the Blue Jays on Sunday, the Toronto Star reports. He is on the DL due to a strained right elbow. |
Our View: Zaun should settle into a platoon with Rod Barajas, who hit well in May but has cooled a bit recently.
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| Gregg Zaun won't be back in the majors on Wednesday, as previously hoped. The backstop will head to Syracuse for Triple-A rehab work and could rejoin the Blue Jays on Friday, MLB.com reports. Zaun is on the DL due to a strained right elbow. |
Our View: Either way, fantasy owners are best off waiting until the end of the weekend to think about using Zaun.
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| Gregg Zaun will return from the DL on Wednesday, the first day he's eligible, according to MLB.com. The catcher is coming back from inflammation in his right elbow. |
Our View: Zaun will split time with Rod Barajas behind the plate.
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| The Blue Jays placed Gregg Zaun on the DL Wednesday with a mild strain and inflammation in his right elbow, according to the AP. "It flared up a little bit Monday on a throw during the game but I thought it would get better," Zaun said. "I took yesterday off and it wasn't better. It was barking pretty good. Unfortunately you can't carry just one catcher." |
Our View: Curtis Thigpen was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Zaun on the roster. Rod Barajas will handle most of the duties behind the plate.
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| Gregg Zaun produced the Jays offense in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Tigers. The Toronto catcher hit a ninth inning solo-shot off closer Todd Jones to get the Jays on the scoreboard. |
Our View: It was Zaun's first home run of the season. In the catcher's defense, he's been playing through a hamstring injury for most of April, and his numbers reflect his pain. In 17 games Zaun has scored six runs, driven in only four and is currently hitting .264 on the season.
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| Gregg Zaun will ride the pine today in favor of Rod Barajas, according to the Providence Journal. He was battling a sore hamstring through spring training, and is off to a cold start as he only has three hits over 13 a-bats so far, with three strikeouts. |
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| Gregg Zaun was scratched for Tuesday action due to a tight hamstring, according to Toronto Globe and Mail. He is considered day-to-day with the ailment. |
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| Gregg Zaun was previously only hitting 1-for-7 this spring but ended his slump with a vengeance on Thursday as he went 3-for-3 with three RBI, while recording his first home run. Zaun is expected to remain the Jays' starting catcher this season, with Rod Barajas serving as top backup. |
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| Jays manager John Gibbons told the team website on Saturday that Gregg Zaun is his catcher, and Rod Barajas isn't in a position to win the starting job. Barajas will see plenty of time behind the plate -- and possibly also at first base according to the skipper. Zaun's a starting option in AL-only leagues that require two backstops and a fringe option in all other formats. |
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| Gregg Zaun was given a routine night off Wednesday, the AP reports. The Blue Jays specifically wanted him rested and fresh so he can go against Chien-Ming Wang Thursday afternoon. |
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| Gregg Zaun started behind the plate on Friday for the first time since returning from the disabled list last week. He had an RBI-double in the sixth and a sacrifice fly in the eighth. |
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| Gregg Zaun, activated from the DL on Friday, is available right now only as a pinch-hitter. Zaun said that in his rush to return from a broken thumb, he "pushed it too far" and overextended his throwing arm, according to the Toronto Star. He hopes to be back behind the plate by June 15. |
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| Gregg Zaun, on the DL as he recovers from a broken thumb, will begin a rehab stint Wednesday at extended spring training in Florida, according to the AP. He hopes to be catching again by the weekend. |
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| Gregg Zaun, who is on the 15-day DL with a broken right thumb, took soft-toss batting practice from both sides of the plate Wednesday and played catch for about 10 minutes, throwing from distances up to 130 feet, according to the AP. He will be out until at least mid-June. |
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| Gregg Zaun has been cleared to start some baseball activities, and he's expecting to begin taking live batting practice next week, the Blue Jays official site reports. Zaun, coming back from a broken thumb, hopes "to be pretty darn close to being totally ready to come back" in the next two weeks. |
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| ESPNews is reporting that Gregg Zaun is expected to be out 6-8 weeks, not the 4-6 weeks that was originally reported. Zaun is recovering from surgery on his hand. |
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| Gregg Zaun is scheduled for hand surgery Thursday and will be out 4-6 weeks, the Blue Jays official site reports. The team is putting him on the 15-day DL for now, hoping his rehab might be on the short side of the 4-6 weeks. |
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| Gregg Zaun is going to have an X-ray on the area near the thumb on his throwing hand, according to the Blue Jays official site. There's concern that Zaun's pending DL trip may be of the 60-day variety. Regardless of what type of DL stint is coming for Zaun, the Blue Jays plan on purchasing the contract of veteran catcher Sal Fasano from Triple-A Syracuse. |
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| Gregg Zaun hurt himself trying to throw Julio Lugo out at second on a stolen-base attempt in the first inning Tuesday night, according to the AP. Zaun took a couple practice throws, but remained in the game until walking off after Roy Halladay warmed up to start the third. He was replaced by Jason Phillips, and the Blue Jays said Zaun will go on the 15-day DL. |
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| Gregg Zaun received a routine day off Wednesday night, the AP reports. He's expected to be back on the field for Thursday's day game. |
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| The Blue Jays haven't set a specific number of games they expect Gregg Zaun to play this season, but he will get regular rest, according to the Toronto Sun. "I haven't really looked at a number of games," said manager John Gibbons. "He's our No. 1 guy. But (Jason) Phillips is going to play because he's very good back there. He'll probably play more against lefties. Zaun's our regular but we've got to keep him fresh." |
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| The Blue Jays have re-signed Gregg Zaun and intend to make him their starting catcher, according to the AP. A deal with Rod Barajas fell through. Zaun's deal is two years for $7.25 million with an option for 2009. "Gregg Zaun is our catcher," said general manager J.P. Ricciardi. |
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| The Blue Jays are close to re-signing Gregg Zaun, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Assuming this gets finished, it will be interesting to see if the looming deal between Rod Barajas and the Blue Jays hit some sort of snag.
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| With Shea Hillenbrand designated for assignment, Gregg Zaun should see more action as the DH. He batted fifth and served as the DH on Wednesday night against the Rangers and went 0-for-4 at the plate. |
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