Zaun won't be returning to Toronto
Free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun vented some frustration with the Blue Jays in an article that appeared in the National Post on Monday. In July, Zaun admitted to being open to a trade out of Toronto, but general manager J.P. Ricciardi countered by saying there were no interested parties. Zaun told the newspaper that the Jays "had a trade in place" and backed out.
"It sure wasn't easy to take when J.P. in the papers was telling everybody in the baseball world that nobody wanted me, when I knew that that was in fact not the truth," Zaun told the newspaper. "To say that nobody was interested in me was inaccurate and embarrassing and it really made me look bad. I wasn't happy with that."
Zaun also expressed some frustration about an apparent lack of communication from the Blue Jays, who handed the starting catching job to Rod Barajas after Zaun returned from a stint on the disabled list midway through the season. Earlier this offseason, the Jays picked up Barajas' $2.5 million club option to bring him back in 2009.
The 37-year-old Zaun, who made $3.75 million last year, finished the 2008 season hitting .237 with six homers and 30 RBIs in 245 at-bats -- the fewest trips to the plate in his five-year tour with Toronto. Zaun and Ricciardi ruled out a return to Toronto and the catcher said he hopes to land a backup job with a contender or a regular role on a team with a young pitching staff.
"That would be a fun job for me," Zaun said. "It's what I did when I started with the Blue Jays. I was a part of the maturing process of all those young pitchers."
--Jordan Bastian
ALright JP! you pissed off another player, atta boy. please! Someone get this guy out of here and give us Alex Anthrapoulis
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The Jays don't really gain much having Barajas bat at catcher, as opposed to Zaun. I like both players. The Jays have to make room for a small youth movement we have coming in at catcher. Too bad emotions and feeling had to become involved with this. I have no doubt that Zaun will pick up somewhere, but as far a trade, whoever we'd get in return probably wouldn't be worth the effort. Zaun was a fine Blue Jay, and I loved his analysis during the playoffs. http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
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I think that Zaun is a terrific catcher and was underutilized by former manager John Gibbons in many ways. Always never afraid to speak out, Zaun wanted to be the #2 hitter and I agreed. I think they had Overbay in that spot for quite some time. That was when management failed to balance their roster with more lefties. Zaun was never put in a position to drive in runs and deserves to hit no lower than 7th if they want a productive bat. I'm still amazed it his power with the bat and I think he can hit more homeruns than Barajas any year, despite age. I like his left handed ability, catching all 12 pitchers, and the fact that he is in terrific shape who still has a rejuvenating career left. Good Luck Zaun, you should start next year or come back with the Jays and simply show up and hit when the time presents itself.
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I don't think JP will last much longer, don't worry folks... he upsets his players as well as others he has no purpose making comments on (Adam Dunn). Zaun will catch for another team, but him wanting a starting job might be far fetched... possibly Detroit, but I think he's better suited for back-up at this stage of his career.
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J.P. Ricciardi is ridiculous. I sure hope he's not the Jays' GM for much longer...
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I agree, get rid of JP!!!! Bring in somebody that knows how to spend $100 million. We should be contending not making stupid comments about mediocre players
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As a season ticket holder and an eternal skeptic I would love to see JP on a bus heading south on the 427, out of Toronto, out of Canada and away from a team that he has done nothing for in nearly a decade. Let's start a petition! Anybody But JP 2008!
On the Zaun note: Great contributor to the Jays organization, a passable analyst and a man who handled his name's appearance in the Mitchell Report with truth and, accordingly, integrity. I'm very sorry that the organization treated him so poorly in the end.
DB
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i hope they don't bring burnett back, get the two picks and move on, he won't pitch like he did in 08, the jays must get ss Khalil Greene, and i think lind or snider should move to first base. and trade overbay and b.j ryan and (try) to get sheets, lowe, or wolf in that order, forget about cc. he's going to the yankees and what ever they do, do not give another old man an $18.m contract to play DH for 2 years (giambi). and would they please forget about raul ibañez, is jp in love with him? unless you move lind to first and snider as the DH, i wish i was j.p, im a genious
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omg, the bluejays fans should go on a strike. Don't go to a bluejays game untill J.P is fired. lol imagine we do that......
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I truly feel it is time for JP to do the walking. He has had an open wallet from the owners and ample time to put together a contender in this division and has simply failed to get it all together. It's too bad players don't get as many chances as he has had.
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There comes a time when all members of any ball club reach their peak. Richardi has done so and any continuation of affiliation with this club will only do more harm than good. Time to go J.P. Bye-bye. And don't screw up a good club any further. Leave Zaun were he is to do the job he was signed to. He has a lot more to offer the Jays than you do.
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sad to see a great guy leave ....it's all about respect...and Gregg had it....everything from the Lilly episode to Hillenbrand...great leader that always spoke as a team player and put the team first....good luck Gregg....you ARE wanted out there...go get'em....JP's days are numbered if this team doesn't put it self in post season soon...we all know that....take it EZEE...TML
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What is all this get rid of JP Riccardi nonsense. As a true BLue Jay fan, not one who wants to find excuses and blame Jp if the Jays do not win the pennant. The only bad move he has made is getting rid of John Gibbons and bringing back Ceto Gaston.
Zaun was ok and a nice guy but not a first string catcher. The only reason he was no. 1 is that Barajas didn't play with the Jays in 2007 and it was Zaun by default. As far as other teams interested in him, i doubt it. So let's stop all this get rid of JP talk and let the man do the job he is best at.
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Bringing back Ceto Gaston was not a bad move, it revitalized the team and gave them at least a shot of doing something. JP has got to go... he came into toronto saying he would be able to win with less money then they are spending now and we are still not winning. His system does not work... the only clame to fame he has is of being an assistant to Billy Beane and trying to use a similar system. The A's haven't won anything under Beane and the Blue Jays won't win anything under a similar system as well. As for Burnett they shouldn't bring him back, he is bound to get injured again and be not worth the money spent. Before this year started i was hoping that he would opt out of his contract and one good year in a contract year doesn't change that for me, the blue jays need to spend money on some pitchers that arms won't fall apart on them or work via a trade to improve the team. Oh and Zaun was never that good he'll und up being a backup somewere.
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"Zaunie" was a very bad catcher. He didn't give us anything offensively and I am more than happy to finally see him gone. Barajas may not be a HUGE offensive increase in production than Zaun but behind the plate he is a much better catcher.. and everytime he comes to the plate I dont have to worry about my fingers bleeding from biting them so much before disspointed.. again. However, JP is not someone who should be allowed to speak for the toronto blue jays. He is creating a very bad image for toronto.
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Oh and Zaun was horrible on Sportsnet during the playoffs. we refused to watch on sportsnet just so we didn't have to listen to him.
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