ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Gregg Zaun on Tuesday, Jan 19, avoiding salary arbitration with the recently acquired backup catcher.
Acquired from Florida on November 23, Zaun batted .188 with five home runs and 29 RBI in 106 games with the Marlins last season. He hit .301 in 58 games as a backup to Charles Johnson in 1997, when Florida won the World Series.
The 27-year-old Zaun has 12 homers and 78 RBI in a four-year career with Baltimore, Florida and Texas and most likely will see limited duty behind perennial All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez.
The Rangers also agreed on one-year deals with five rookies on the major league roster, including outfielder Ricky Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Texas. Williams’ contract was purchased from the Montreal Expos on December 15.
Pitchers Brandon Knight, Corey Lee and Mike Venafro and outfielder Mike Zywica also signed for the 1999 season.
Texas has three players eligible for arbitration — pitchers Tim Crabtree and Aaron Sele and first baseman-designated hitter Lee Stevens.