Blue Jays backup catcher Gregg Zaun would welcome a deal if it would give him more playing time. The only problem is, the team has yet to find a suitor for the 37-year-old.
"We'll gladly move him if we can find someone who wants him, and that's where we're at," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Tuesday. "Right now there has been no takers for him, there has been no inquiries about him. "Maybe he doesn't want to hear that, but that's just the way it is. We know he's unhappy, we're aware of that, and if we can move him we will."
Zaun's playing time has decreased under manager Cito Gaston to the point where he is now backing up Rod Barajas. His name has surfaced in trade rumors with the Florida Marlins reportedly showing interest. Zaun doesn't want to be perceived as being a selfish player for wanting to move and receive more playing time.
"I hope not, because I've never played one single day of selfish baseball in this uniform, not ever," he said. "I've given everything I've had to this organization since I've been a Blue Jay.
"I've never been a distraction. I've always worked very, very hard. I've always put the pitching staff and their success ahead of my own personal gains. I don't want them to perceive me as a selfish player. I think the way that I've played the game, I hope they would look at that. I think they'll understand I want to play, and if I can't be out there every day, then I would like to go and be on a team that has a good chance to go to the World Series."
RAYS 3, BLUE JAYS 0: Roy Halladay suffered the loss to drop to 12-8 as he allowed three runs on six hits over eight innings. Halladay allowed a solo homer to former Jay Eric Hinske and a two-run triple by Evan Longoria. The Jays managed just five hits for the third consecutive game. It marked the sixth time the Jays have been shut out this season.
