Brewers Sign Jason Kendall

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 06:03 PM

Kendall, Brewers agree in principle

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers wanted a deal with free-agent catcher Jason Kendall before the start of the holiday weekend, and, pending a physical, they got one.
A day after trading away incumbent Johnny Estrada, the Brewers announced they had agreed in principle to terms with Kendall, a 33-year-old coming off an uncharacteristically poor offensive year with the A's and Cubs. It is a one-year pact that includes a vesting option for 2009 that will kick in should Kendall start 115 games.

The contract will not become official until Kendall passes a physical in the later part of next week, general manager Doug Melvin said.

The Official Site of Milwaukee Brewers: News: Milwaukee Brewers News

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 07:07 PM

Let me say this right off the bat: The catching market in baseball is bleak. Very bleak.

Few teams have catchers who can both hit and catch. If they have them, they have them locked up.

Anybody with a young catcher who might be expendable, such as Texas' Gerald Laird, is asking for the moon in return.

Kendall was best available option - Brewers Blog

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 07:13 PM

The agreement the Brewers have with free agent catcher Jason Kendall is for one year with a vesting option for 2009. That probably means if he plays in so many games next year he'll be guaranteed a 2009 contract.

Kendall's deal is for one year plus option - Brewers Blog

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 07:16 PM

I just learned that the Brewers have reached agreement on a contract with free-agent catcher Jason Kendall, pending his passing of a physical examination.

Don't know any of the details yet, as far as length of contract, or dollar amount. I'm in the process of obtaining that info but just wanted to let Brewers fans know they have a new catcher.

Brewers have a deal with Kendall - Brewers Blog

JoseA · November 24th, 2007, 03:15 PM

Decent move, at least he was good at hitting in the past. He's a career .297 hitter. But, don't expect many home runs from him! Luckily he doesn't strike out much. I remember when he was on Pittsburgh he used to pretty successful against the Brewers, hopefully he will reimburse us.

bedir than average · November 24th, 2007, 03:22 PM

There are dozens of players in the minors who could put up the offense that Kendall did over the last few years. He hasn't been an above average offensive player for four years, and he projects via Bill James to a .704 OPS, by HeltonFan to an pABR of .215.

The Mariners 4th most likely catcher to be their starter projects as basically the same value.

The Brewers should have traded for a C, or just not dealt the one they had.

November 23rd, 2007, 06:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Brewers Sign Jason Kendall Kendall, Brewers agree in principle MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers wanted a deal with free-agent catcher Jason Kendall before the start of the holiday weekend, and, pending a physical, they got one. A day after trading away incumbent Johnny Estrada, the Brewers announced they had agreed in principle to terms with Kendall, a 33-year-old coming off an uncharacteristically poor offensive year with the A's and Cubs. It is a one-year pact that includes a vesting option for 2009 that will kick in should Kendall start 115 games. The contract will not become official until Kendall passes a physical in the later part of next week, general manager Doug Melvin said. The Official Site of Milwaukee Brewers: News: Milwaukee Brewers News

November 23rd, 2007, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Kendall was best available option Let me say this right off the bat: The catching market in baseball is bleak. Very bleak. Few teams have catchers who can both hit and catch. If they have them, they have them locked up. Anybody with a young catcher who might be expendable, such as Texas' Gerald Laird, is asking for the moon in return. Kendall was best available option - Brewers Blog

November 23rd, 2007, 07:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Kendall's deal is for one year plus option The agreement the Brewers have with free agent catcher Jason Kendall is for one year with a vesting option for 2009. That probably means if he plays in so many games next year he'll be guaranteed a 2009 contract. Kendall's deal is for one year plus option - Brewers Blog

November 23rd, 2007, 07:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Brewers have a deal with Kendall I just learned that the Brewers have reached agreement on a contract with free-agent catcher Jason Kendall, pending his passing of a physical examination. Don't know any of the details yet, as far as length of contract, or dollar amount. I'm in the process of obtaining that info but just wanted to let Brewers fans know they have a new catcher. Brewers have a deal with Kendall - Brewers Blog

November 24th, 2007, 03:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
JoseA Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,097	Decent move, at least he was good at hitting in the past. He's a career .297 hitter. But, don't expect many home runs from him! Luckily he doesn't strike out much. I remember when he was on Pittsburgh he used to pretty successful against the Brewers, hopefully he will reimburse us. __________________ Register here and join the discussion

November 24th, 2007, 03:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
bedir than average Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,258	There are dozens of players in the minors who could put up the offense that Kendall did over the last few years. He hasn't been an above average offensive player for four years, and he projects via Bill James to a .704 OPS, by HeltonFan to an pABR of .215. The Mariners 4th most likely catcher to be their starter projects as basically the same value. The Brewers should have traded for a C, or just not dealt the one they had. __________________ I'm sorry I left for a while. I needed a vaction, and then work changed substantially. I'm over 50 hour weeks, plus two hours a day of commuting time. A few weeks ago I launched my own blog about Seattle Sounders FC and Life in Puget Sound. I won't be by these parts often as my focus has changed. Sorry about the unannounced retirement.