Astros close to signing catcher Ivan Rodriguez

Astros close to signing catcher Ivan Rodriguez



By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2009







<!-- BEGIN movie info box --><!-- END movie info box --><!-- end floating resource box -->KISSIMMEE, Fla. — In a move that would give the Astros a boost behind the plate, future Hall of Fame catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez appears close to signing with the club.
After initially shying away from Rodriguez because of economics, the Astros have been in intense negotiations lately with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras. It's extremely unlikely the deal will be finalized today because Rodriguez would have to take and pass a physical for anything to be finalized, but the chances look bright for the Astros because money is not an issue anymore.
"We've re-engaged with him," Astros general manager Ed Wade told the Chronicle. "I've had several conversations with (Boras). He's cycled back toward us and there seems like there might be an environment to get something done. We've had several conversations and we're trying to see if there's a fit for us."
Rodriguez has been one of Team Puerto Rico's brightest stars in the World Baseball Classic, and his play has drawn raves from top Astros scouts Fred Nelson and Paul Ricciarini.
"I've gone back and talked to Fred Nelson and Paul Ricciarini," Wade said. "Their feeling is that there's still a considerable amount left in the tank with Pudge. He still throws very well and is hitting well."

still not enough till they get a solid rotation and mid-relief, plus Pudge is over the hill IMO.

louisvillekid said:

still not enough till they get a solid rotation and mid-relief, plus Pudge is over the hill IMO.

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He's better than Ausmus...and anyone else we have had a catcher since Biggio...JMO

NL is a good fit for him. He could still have a productive year.

Max so you think we need a over the hill ex roids freak that is washed up in the line up? I figure with Berkman Tejada and Lee we have to many already. Not sure which way the Astros are going but down is where they will likely end up. This Wade guy is a Joke.

nhoj said:

Max so you think we need a over the hill ex roids freak that is washed up in the line up? I figure with Berkman Tejada and Lee we have to many already. Not sure which way the Astros are going but down is where they will likely end up. This Wade guy is a Joke.

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over the hill???

Ivan Rodriguez may not be the All-Star caliber player he was with Florida during its 2003 World Series run, but the 37-year-old free-agent catcher is making lots of noise at the World Baseball Classic and his former squad is taking notice.
According to Marlins Insider Joe Fisaro, Florida is among five teams actively pursuing the former Tigers catcher, who is 9-for-15 with two homers and six RBIs in four games in the Classic.
http://blog.mlive.com/cutoffman/2009/03/ivan_rodriguez_resurrects_team.html

we need players that have been to the promise land...and he is not a bad fit here in Houston.

I think he's over the hill also but you never know. 37 is not to old and Astros dont need 30/300 from the catcher spot. Hell if he can hit his weight he will be better than Ausmus ever was..Getting rid of that useless bum adds instant respect to mgmt in my eyes.

37 is over the hill for a catcher. Maybe not a 1st baseman but catcher yes. 17 years on your knees is like 30 years in the field.

Astros did not get rid of Ausmus he got rid of the stros LOL. But yes he was horrid at the plate. If Pudge can hit 250 I guess it is a good pick up. Maybe 40 points more than what they got now. Still need alot of Pitching. If they can get the ball to the catcher then why do we need him.

After being an Astro and Ranger fan since both clubs were formed, I am of the opinion that God did not intend baseball to be played in Texas.

Pudge cant hurt if you dont give away too much to get him.

Now if the Astros can lure Clemens out of retirement, he & pudge would form a battery worthy of the 1st team 'roid HOF.

Pudge will be better than any other catcher the Astros have had in the past 10-15 years. The catchers for the Astros have been horrible offensively. Paying Pudge 1.5 million is a good signing for the Astros.

Punter, I think you would be quite surprised if you looked up how the Astros have done in say the past 10 years compared to the other teams.

True, they went to a WS and lost, but the Rangers have sucked forever.

pudge is old. needs to retire. not worth the money

I think he'll help them. Nothing like he once was, but looked pretty good during the WBC.

WBC has inferior pitching compared to MLB.

Rodriguez deal creates quite a buzz

Reaction muted for some, but others effusive with praise

By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle


LAKELAND, Fla. — Cecil Cooper didn’t want to discuss Ivan Rodriguez on Tuesday because the veteran catcher’s deal is contingent on his passing a physical and therefore not official. But the Astros manager spent some time Monday morning asking Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland about the 13-time Gold Glove winner.
“I had a great conversation about (Rodriguez) with Cecil Cooper,” said Leyland, who managed Rodriguez with the Tigers from 2004 through part of the 2008 season. “He asked me all about him.”
Reaction to Rodriguez’s signing ran the gamut before the Astros tied the Tigers at 1 on Tuesday at Joker Marchant Stadium. Some players rejoiced. Others such as Carlos Lee were hesitant to praise the deal out of respect for Humberto Quintero, who was set to be the starter until Rodriguez was signed.
Even bench coach Ed Romero and first-base coach Jose Cruz, who gushed about Rodriguez on Sunday when speaking about Puerto Rico’s victory over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, didn’t want to speak about Rodriguez on Tuesday. Cooper has said he won’t comment about Rodriguez to the media until the deal is “announced.”
Although his employees have been mum on the agreement, Astros owner Drayton McLane told the Chronicle the deal is the best news the team has had all spring. McLane predicts Rodriguez will have a positive impact on the club.
Leyland agrees.
“I’m glad he’s playing,” Leyland said. “I have a lot of respect for Pudge. … I had two run-ins with him in three years . … I look back at that and say, ‘I managed a Hall of Famer for three years, and I had two run-ins with him. That’s pretty good.”
Tejada likes the move

Although some Astros players acted as though there was an organizational gag order preventing them from discussing Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada was excited.
“We played a lot against each other in the American League,” Tejada, a former AL MVP, said of another . “I think he’ll bring veteran leadership. He’s a veteran of 20 years. I think the pitchers will feel real happy.
“Without trying to discredit our young catchers, because they have a lot of talent, let’s recognize Pudge Rodriguez for who he is. You saw what he did in Florida, and you saw what he did in Detroit. Let’s hope he does the same thing here and helps change our direction.”
Rodriguez, 37, helped the Marlins win the World Series in 2003. Two years later, he helped the Tigers reach the World Series. In both cases, he received lots of credit for leading the pitching staff.
“He’s not exactly the same as he was a few years ago,” Leyland said of Rodriguez. “But I told Cecil, ‘He’ll be in as good of shape or better shape than any player on your team. He looks young. He takes care of himself.’”
The four catchers remaining in the Astros’ camp — Quintero, J.R. Towles, Rule 5 pick Lou Palmisano and prospect Lou Santangelo — have combined to play in 220 games over parts of six seasons in the majors.
Palmisano and Santangelo never have reached the majors. Palmisano never has played above Class AA, and Santangelo has played in only 13 games at Class AAA Round Rock. Quintero has been in 152 major league games over parts of four seasons. Towles has played in 68 games over parts of two seasons.
“The Astros are going to have to do something with the catcher’s situation, so that will be interesting to see,” Towles said. “Definitely, Pudge is a good guy to have on the team. He’s got a lot of experience. He’s a 14-time All-Star .
“He’s definitely done some things in his career that a lot of people wish they could do. I think he’ll definitely be a good addition to the team. Hopefully, if I’m around him, I can learn a little something from him.”
Towles and Santangelo were competing for the backup position this spring. Now Quintero appears set to be the backup, barring injury .
Taking the high road

Although Quintero essentially is set to make the 25-man roster, there is no denying he hoped to prove he could be the starter.
“I just have to keep working,” Quintero said. “ I can’t do anything else. I just have to take advantage of whatever opportunity the manager gives me. Pudge has been in the majors a long time, and I’ll try to learn from him.”

It's official: Catcher 'Pudge' completes deal with Astros



By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle

March 20, 2009, 12:30PM




KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez successfully passed his physical, finalizing his one-year deal with the Astros and ending what had been a frustrating winter for the 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove winner.
“It’s taken a while, to be honest with you,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy off-season for me. But I’m glad that I’m back into a major league organization. The Houston Astros have been an organization that they have a lot of good players, and (are) a very good organization. For the players, the area is very nice.”
Rodriguez, who wore No. 7 for most of his career with the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers, will wear No. 12 in the regular season. A legend in Arlington, he realizes in Houston No. 7 is associated with Astros icon Craig Biggio, who was honored last season when his number was retired.
“Of course I love No. 7, but I respect that No. 7 here is untouchable,” he said. “Craig Biggio used this number for years, and I respect that. But No. 12, I like that number. But it doesn’t matter to me the number. Right now I just look forward to play and use whatever number in the back and do my best in the field.”
Rodriguez wore No. 12 last year after he was traded to the New York Yankees. He’ll wear No. 14 at the start of camp until hitting coach Sean Berry gives up No. 12. “We’re very happy to have him here,” general manager Ed Wade said. “Obviously it’s a huge upgrade to our ballclub to have somebody with his ability and experience, and we think it’s another step in the direction we want to go to bring a World Series to Houston.”