Pending Options: Catchers

Gregg Zaun, Milwaukee
Option: $2.25M Buyout: $0.25M

The most stylish catcher in the game, Zaun’s flair may as well come custom from Louis Vuitton. A torn labrum bagged his season, leaving it best known for an embarrassing case of the yips. The closest thing to game action Zaun has seen since is doing postseason television work in Canada. Still, he’s established his desire to play, and assuming Milwaukee chooses to decline his option, Zaun could latch onto a team in need of a good hitting reserve catcher (wRC+ over 90 in each of the past seven seasons) with the groove gene.

Miguel Olivo, Colorado
Option: $2.5M Buyout: $0.5M

Olivo’s contract stipulated that his option would convert into one of mutual standing based on his games played tally. He saw action in 112, which seemed unlikely at the date of inking, what with Chris Iannetta in tow, but there is a decent chance the option is now mutual. Olivo played well enough to have Colorado exercise their part of the deal (regardless of Iannetta) and could find himself as a free agent through his own merit.

Yorvit Torrealba, San Diego
Option: $3.5M (mutual) Buyout: $0.5M

To catch is to don the tools of ignorance. Part of Torrealba’s job description in 2010 included enlightening Nick Hundley until he got his C legs under him. Torrealba defied the odds by having one of his finest offensive seasons (107 wRC+, matching a career high) in perhaps the most arctic of offensive conditions. Padres’ bench coach, the legendary Ted Simmons, holds the philosophy that it takes 500 games (or 1,500 at-bats) to know what you have in a catcher. Assuming Simmons: 1) has some say, and 2) knows what he’s talking about, it wouldn’t be a shock if Torrealba returns.