According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, Ivan Rodriguez said he plans to sign with either the Marlins, Astros or Mets.
- The Astros denied having interest in the 37-year-old catcher on Saturday, but maybe that has changed. They’re not comfortable with handing the reigns to J.R. Towles after he hit .137/.250/.253 in 146 at-bats last year, and Humberto Quintero isn’t a guy you want starting every day.
- The Marlins are only willing to offer Pudge the league minimum, which might not do enough to woo the free agent. Jon Heyman suggested in late January that the Fish are the best fit, but their tight budget is obviously going to be an issue.
- The Mets could be the darkhorse here. They haven’t been vocal with their interest in Pudge this offseason, but he would work well in a platoon with Brian Schneider. Of course, the Mets would probably then want to move Ramon Castro.
Rodriguez hit .276/.319/.394 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 115 games last season for the Tigers and Yankees. He also stole 10 bases.
