Brewers Sign Jason Kendall

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Kendall, Brewers agree in principle

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers wanted a deal with free-agent catcher Jason Kendall before the start of the holiday weekend, and, pending a physical, they got one.
A day after trading away incumbent Johnny Estrada, the Brewers announced they had agreed in principle to terms with Kendall, a 33-year-old coming off an uncharacteristically poor offensive year with the A's and Cubs. It is a one-year pact that includes a vesting option for 2009 that will kick in should Kendall start 115 games.

The contract will not become official until Kendall passes a physical in the later part of next week, general manager Doug Melvin said.

The Official Site of Milwaukee Brewers: News: Milwaukee Brewers News (http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071121&content_id=2306210&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil)

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Let me say this right off the bat: The catching market in baseball is bleak. Very bleak.

Few teams have catchers who can both hit and catch. If they have them, they have them locked up.

Anybody with a young catcher who might be expendable, such as Texas' Gerald Laird, is asking for the moon in return.

Kendall was best available option - Brewers Blog (http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/11/21/kendall-was-best-available-option.aspx)

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The agreement the Brewers have with free agent catcher Jason Kendall is for one year with a vesting option for 2009. That probably means if he plays in so many games next year he'll be guaranteed a 2009 contract.

Kendall's deal is for one year plus option - Brewers Blog (http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/11/21/kendall-s-deal-is-for-one-year-plus-option.aspx)

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I just learned that the Brewers have reached agreement on a contract with free-agent catcher Jason Kendall, pending his passing of a physical examination.

Don't know any of the details yet, as far as length of contract, or dollar amount. I'm in the process of obtaining that info but just wanted to let Brewers fans know they have a new catcher.

Brewers have a deal with Kendall - Brewers Blog (http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/11/21/brewers-have-a-deal-with-kendall.aspx)