Ivan Rodriguez Rumors: Royals Have Not Made Pudge an Offer

After the Kansas City Royals announced the severity of starting catcher Salvador Perez’s knee injury, rumors began flying regarding who the club would acquire to assist with backstop duties.  Kansas City is reportedly seeking a veteran to pair with backup catcher Bryan Pena, and free agent Ivan Rodriguez unsurprisingly found his way into the conversation.

Following word that Perez would miss three-to-four months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star reported that the club was scouring the free agent and trade markets for a veteran catcher.  Dutton listed Rodriguez, Craig Tatum, Corky Miller and Wil Nieves as possible targets for the Royals.

Yesterday afternoon Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the Royals extended Rodriguez a camp invite but that the veteran was mulling over the opportunity.  Heyman continued updating his report through the evening, stating that the Royals were downplaying whether or not they made Rodriguez an offer.  It was also not clear if Rodriguez is ready to join a major league club, as, according to Heyman, the veteran has only told the Royals that he’d like to play “at some point”.

Dutton later stated that the Royals had denied Heyman’s reports that they’d extended Rodriguez an offer or invite to spring training.  Dutton added that, while the Royals have “inquired about Rodriguez”, they have also checked in on “20 or more” other potential catchers.

For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Kings of Kauffman.

You can follow Call to the Pen on Twitter at @FSCalltothePen or like us here on Facebook.