Padres sign veteran catcher Gregg Zaun to minor league deal

By
Aaron Gleeman,

By
Aaron Gleeman

Published January 18, 2011 11:16 AM

Gregg Zaun — In this Monday, March 8, 2010, photo, Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gregg Zaun talks in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Phoenix. The Brewers’ newest veteran catcher certainly isn’t like stoic Jason Kendall, who spent two years guiding a pitching staff that reached the postseason in 2008 and then was short on talent in last year’s 80-82 campaign. Even though Zaun is three years older than Kendall and turns 39 next month, he said if he’s not bouncing around the clubhouse, something would definitely be wrong. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Diego signed Gregg Zaun to a minor-league contract and the veteran catcher will get an invitation to spring training, where he’ll compete for the backup job with Rob Johnson.

Zaun missed most of last season following June shoulder surgery and will be 40 years old in April, but if healthy he’s a far superior option than Johnson to play behind starter Nick Hundley.

Zaun has posted an on-base percentage above .340 in seven straight seasons and the switch-hitter batted .265 with a .350 OBP in 28 games for the Brewers last season before shutting things down.