O's considering Pudge Rodriguez

by Scott Christ on Dec 27, 2008 11:46 PM EST in News & Rumors

Former Oriole Gregg Zaun remains the free-agent catcher most likely to end up in the Orioles lineup on Opening Day, but there have been conversations with agent Scott Boras about veteran Ivan Rodriguez (left). Whether he would be a good fit to mentor Matt Wieters and eventually step aside for the O's top minor league prospect has been a subject of some discussion in the O's front office.

Schmuck considers the idea that if Wieters comes up mid-season, it would "create an uncomfortable situation." Frankly, I don't care. Pudge Rodriguez is 37 years old and can't hit much anymore, so if he were to have a hissy when Wieters took "his job," then oh well, trade him or waive him. It wouldn't be the biggest deal in the world, and Pudge's defensive reputation is well-earned. He'd be a great fit for what promises to be a crap pitching staff. I do worry Trembley would hit him in the middle of the order on name value.

He doesn't make mean faces quite as well as Gregg Zaun, nor is he related to Rick Dempsey (have you heard?), nor will he be totally dirt cheap. You pay for quality, I reckon, and it sort of reminds me of soda. Why go for Sam's Choice when for a little bit more you can get some RC?

With Ramon Hernandez gone, there's no catcher in this system that belongs starting in the Major Leagues besides Wieters, and they probably want to be cool about his advancement. Be it Pudge or Zaun, it's not a bad idea. Just keep Rick Dempsey away from me if we get Zaun.

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make sure dempsey keeps his pants on if we get zaun.

What up?

by snakethejake on Dec 28, 2008 12:38 AM EST reply actions

yes yes definitely yes

i’d love to see pudge in an o’s uni, if for no other reason then because he’s always been a personal fave. Also, for the reasons you stated above.

"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17

by daveh873 on Dec 28, 2008 1:36 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, but does Pudge...

…have a sweet-ass website that simultaneously rocks and chills your face?

by Chanumas on Dec 28, 2008 2:14 AM EST reply actions

LOL

That is hysterical.

BTW, your link is eff’d up (the linky button seems to be corrupt), but here’s one that works.

That website feels more like an ad for a new Gilette razor. The Mach-Z or something.

by zknower on Dec 28, 2008 2:46 AM EST up reply actions

Love the use of Rush

I heard Getty Lee is a huge Jays fan.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Dec 29, 2008 1:12 AM EST up reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k4cFMVfnCE

by jobe on Dec 29, 2008 1:20 AM EST up reply actions

lolwhut

“Gregg is the nephew of former Major League catcher Rick Dempsey. His uncle, Pat, spent 11 years in professional baseball,”

Rick = Pat?

Here’s the Z-tune playlist in full…
GnR – Mr Brownstone
Rush – Limelight
Byob – System of a Down

by mpire on Dec 28, 2008 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

i totally signed up for the zaun fan club.

by blawk359 on Dec 29, 2008 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

i’m all for Zaun now

What up?

by snakethejake on Dec 28, 2008 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

well, that settles it.

sign his ass up. once the golden boy is ready for big league action, we transition zaun into the role of the O’s webmaster or something.

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again."

by 2632 on Dec 28, 2008 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

holy crap

thats the funniest thing ever. i love how he incorporates zorro. so creative!

"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17

by daveh873 on Dec 28, 2008 12:20 PM EST up reply actions

He would do a good job with the glove....

and would be a big help to the pitching staff with his experience. So, heck ya, sign him!

"The main idea is to win"-John McGraw

by Orioles 1894 on Dec 28, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions

Surprised if he wont sign with Florida

it would all come down to dollars I suspect but still Pudge could do a lot more in Florida and the money cant be that different. I suspect both clubs want cheap…

But if he comes I dont see how it hurts and you could probably move him at the deadline anyway just like last year if playing time becomes an issue with Matt up.

by sanders833 on Dec 29, 2008 10:17 AM EST up reply actions