SuperMatt
01-22-2008, 03:58 PM
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080121&content_id=2352453&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd
SAN DIEGO -- The Padres continue to stockpile outfielders for Spring Training next month and they might not be done yet.
On Monday, 30-year-old outfielder Jody Gerut signed a Minor League contract with the Padres. If the left-handed-hitting Gerut is added to the 40-man roster he stands to make $700,000.
According to the Associated Press, Gerut also could earn an additional $210,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
Gerut last played in the Major Leagues in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. But he missed the last two seasons with a knee injury.
Gerut, who can play each of the three outfield positions, is a career .263 hitter with the Indians, Cubs and Pirates. His best season came in 2003, when as a rookie with Cleveland he hit .279 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.
It was also reported on Monday that the Padres have interest in Chicago Cubs outfielder Matt Murton. A report on FOXSports.com said San Diego could be looking to trade for Murton to play left field.
Murton, 26, has a career .296 batting average and .365 on-base percentage in three seasons with the Cubs. As it stands, the Padres are looking at a Scott Hairston and Chase Headley platoon in left field. To date, they have signed three players with Major League experience -- Gerut, Jeff DaVanon and Chip Ambres -- to Minor League contracts and invited them to Spring Training.
SAN DIEGO -- The Padres continue to stockpile outfielders for Spring Training next month and they might not be done yet.
On Monday, 30-year-old outfielder Jody Gerut signed a Minor League contract with the Padres. If the left-handed-hitting Gerut is added to the 40-man roster he stands to make $700,000.
According to the Associated Press, Gerut also could earn an additional $210,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
Gerut last played in the Major Leagues in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. But he missed the last two seasons with a knee injury.
Gerut, who can play each of the three outfield positions, is a career .263 hitter with the Indians, Cubs and Pirates. His best season came in 2003, when as a rookie with Cleveland he hit .279 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.
It was also reported on Monday that the Padres have interest in Chicago Cubs outfielder Matt Murton. A report on FOXSports.com said San Diego could be looking to trade for Murton to play left field.
Murton, 26, has a career .296 batting average and .365 on-base percentage in three seasons with the Cubs. As it stands, the Padres are looking at a Scott Hairston and Chase Headley platoon in left field. To date, they have signed three players with Major League experience -- Gerut, Jeff DaVanon and Chip Ambres -- to Minor League contracts and invited them to Spring Training.