Jays close to signing Zaun? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Jiggy_12 · 11-27-2006, 09:09 PM

Just heard it on TSN during commercial.

Great news if true.

Antithesis · 11-27-2006, 09:11 PM

On the main page at sportsnet.ca as well. Apparently the deal with Barajas fell through.

browna · 11-27-2006, 09:12 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2678002

Not clear if it means the deal with Barajas is even going to go through.

KootenayFlamesFan · 11-27-2006, 09:13 PM

Toronto's reported two-year deal with catcher Rod Barajas has apparently fallen apart. The 31-year-old Barajas was scheduled to fly to Toronto for a physical, but according to MLB.com he cancelled his trip.
According to a report on ESPN.com, the Blue Jays have shifted their focus back to the 35-year-old Zaun.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=186144&hubname=mlb

Jiggy_12 · 11-27-2006, 09:14 PM

Ahh yes, Thanks. here is the article mentioned:

Zaun?!

flambers · 11-27-2006, 10:08 PM

Wow what a weird story....

habernac · 11-27-2006, 10:14 PM

maybe Zaun was the goal the whole time?

browna · 11-27-2006, 10:33 PM

Rumor is, through the power of the Internet, Rod got a Toronto sports reporter pr....ah nevermind.

Flames in 07 · 11-27-2006, 10:42 PM

Sounds like the change in agents may have something to do with it.

I'd be happier if we can find someone to back up Zaun regularly maybe take 50-60 games off of Gregg's shoulders.

Iggy Snipe · 11-28-2006, 12:16 AM

Honestly I don't think Zaun is that great of at the plate, he is not really that consistant. If im not mistaken I think his average was around .270 this season.

He is solid behind the plate besides the fact that he has an extremely weak arm and rarely do you see him throw a runner out.

Too bad we couldn't hold on to Molina, he is much more well rounded than Zaun.

flames_1987 · 11-28-2006, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

Honestly I don't think Zaun is that great of at the plate, he is not really that consistant. If im not mistaken I think his average was around .270 this season.

He is solid behind the plate besides the fact that he has an extremely weak arm and rarely do you see him throw a runner out.

Too bad we couldn't hold on to Molina, he is much more well rounded than Zaun.

Molina and his 10 million dollar contract and bitching about playing time will not be missed by me.

Zaun has developed a good chemistry with the Jays pitching staff, he calls a hell of a game and he's a decent enough bat for a lineup filled with talent. Good leader, good signing

rockstar · 11-28-2006, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

Honestly I don't think Zaun is that great of at the plate, he is not really that consistant. If im not mistaken I think his average was around .270 this season.

He is solid behind the plate besides the fact that he has an extremely weak arm and rarely do you see him throw a runner out.

Too bad we couldn't hold on to Molina, he is much more well rounded than Zaun.

Well-rounded is right. Wasn't he voted the slowest man in baseball by his peers?

habernac · 11-28-2006, 09:26 AM

watching Benji run the bases was an exercise in pain. My 60 year old mom runs faster than he. Zaun is a leader in the clubhouse. And I'll take a .270 hitting catcher any day of the week.

JayP · 11-28-2006, 10:16 AM

The thing I didn't like about the Barajas deal was that the guy can't take a pitch. His highest OBP in his career was .306, including years of .288, .265, .276, and .298 when he's played over 70 games. Those are some downright pathetic numbers. On the other hand, since Zaun's revitalization as a Jay he's consistently around .360. With the bats the Jays got in the line-up I'll take that higher OBP anyday and let other bats worry about driving Zaun home.

HitterD · 11-28-2006, 10:23 AM

I think Zaun is the better overall option for the jays. He bats much better, and lets not forget he is a switch hitter in a lineup with only one left-handed bat (Overbay).

For those saying Molina was more "well rounded", and zaun has a weak arm...... he actually was actually better than Molina at throwing out runners (20.1% vs 18.2%).

Zaun's much more patient at the plate than Barajas, and is a much better overall option for the Jays. Phillips is a little scary at the Backup position, but there is a young Catcher in the farm (Thigpen) that is close to MLB ready from what i have heard. Perhaps he could be brought up mid-season to platoon with Zaun if he is playing well down in AAA?

CaramonLS · 11-28-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HitterD

Zaun's much more patient at the plate than Barajas, and is a much better overall option for the Jays. Phillips is a little scary at the Backup position, but there is a young Catcher in the farm (Thigpen) that is close to MLB ready from what i have heard. Perhaps he could be brought up mid-season to platoon with Zaun if he is playing well down in AAA?

Thigpen needs at least another full season in AAA. I'll be extremely disappointed if he is rushed too quickly.

We've done that with some of our hitting prospects (See Rios), who took almost 2 full seasons of wasted service time to actually develop into something.

Iggy Snipe · 11-28-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstar

Well-rounded is right. Wasn't he voted the slowest man in baseball by his peers?

I just think that Molina was a better player all around (of course he is not as fast as Zaun).

1) Molina is a better hitter
2) Molina has a better arm
3) Molina is better behind the plate(blocking balls)

1) Zaun is a better runner
2) Zaun is defintely more respected by his teammates
3) Zaun doesn't have a hefty contract like Molina

I think the problem was that Molina wanted to be a starter night in and night out. They pretty much played them equally and Molina hated that. Zaun is a team player, but Molina talent wise was better.

When its all said and done, Molina is gone, and at least the Jays have a shot at Zaun. He has been talking to many different clubs.

Antithesis · 11-28-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

I just think that Molina was a better player all around (of course he is not as fast as Zaun).

Molina isn't as fast as my Grandma, but that's beside the point.

I'm much more partial to Zaun, and I'm not exactly sure why. A batting average of .270+ is not anything to sneeze at for a catcher, or really, most positions. It's not spectacular, but spectacular is going to cost a team a lot more than the $3.5 million the Jays are paying Zaun.

At this point, I'd rather see them acquire a Gil Meche type pitcher and have the money left over to possibly sign Wells to an extension, rather than going for some elusive AAA catcher (are there even any out there this year?)

If I understand right as well, Zaun is a real character guy, someone who has been on the Jays for some time, which can not be discounted. I think this was a great turn of events for the Jays.

moon · 11-28-2006, 08:01 PM

I think the price is right for Zaun. Is he a top catcher no, is he average, maybe but for 3.5 milli9on he doesn't have to be much more than average. He won't help your team make the play-offs offensivly but will help in the locker rooma nd with the staff.

If the Cardinals can win the WS with Molina hitting .216 all year long there is no reason the Jays can't finish third in the East with Zaun.

JiriHrdina · 11-28-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

I just think that Molina was a better player all around (of course he is not as fast as Zaun).

3) Molina is better behind the plate(blocking balls)

I'm not sure about this one. Last year Molina let a lot of gettable balls get by him. His mobility behind the plate seems to be on the decline.