We haven't heard any more on the Catching front, but we have to figure Pudge is still on our radar if he takes a discount to return. MY question is, if we can't get Pudge, what about Greg Zaun? What about Greg Zaun? He made 3.8 million last year w/ the Jays, but I doubt he'll get too much more than that since he's only a solid backup on most teams.

 

While his hitting was never up to snuff, I liked him when he was with us in the late 90's. He really knows how to handle a staff and call a game. Could be the strong veteran presence behind the plate to help along our young guns on the mound, and probably will be cheaper than Pudge.

The Marlins are looking primarily for a right handed compliment to John Baker. Although Zaun is a switch hitter, he is primarily a lefty bat. I think the guys to keep an eye on are, Brad Ausmus, Henry Blanco, or maybe Chris Coste. Coste is excess insurance for the Phillies now that they have both Ruiz and Paulino and are carrying 5 catchers on the 40 man roster. Any of these would be upgrades to Rabelo, as they would provide more hitting with the veteran presence that everyone seems to think is such a big deal. As for me, I think it is extremely overrated and given how well Baker executed Wiley's game plans last year I find it hard to believe he is suddenly going to forget everything he learned last year.

 

We have a young staff, and Baker is older and has played longer than all of them, just not at the Big League level. Baseball is baseball and it makes me laugh when I hear talking heads like Tim McCarver or Harold Reynolds say things like "that guy has never seen that situation before". Were they playing stick ball in the minors?

 

I'm excited about 2009 and think we are going to beat a lot of teams.

I would love to get Chris Coste. He would probably start for us, though.