Posted on December 19, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Gerut Re-Inks with the Padres for 2009
Padres agreed to terms with outfielder Jody Gerut on a one-year, $1.775 million contract. Gerut hit .296/.351/.494 in 328 at-bats for the Padres last season after joining the team on a minor league deal. He’s the current favorite to start for the team in center field, and since the Padres have more urgent needs elsewhere, it seems unlikely that he’ll be supplanted. (Rotoworld)
More details from MLB.com:
Gerut’s contract represents a substantial increase from the $700,000 he earned last season after making the team out of Spring Training. He signed a Minor League contract just weeks before the team reported to Peoria, Ariz.
Gerut started the season with the Padres but was optioned to Triple-A Portland on April 5 when Jim Edmonds came off the disabled list. Gerut hit .308 in 27 games with Portland before he was promoted on May 9 after Edmonds was released.
Gerut, in his first Major League action since 2005, quickly became a fixture in center field and showed good defense, especially covering a lot of ground at spacious PETCO Park. He proved more than a capable leadoff hitter as well, hitting .296 in that spot.
Gerut hit a game-winning, two-run home run against Arizona on Aug. 25, but suffered a badly sprained left middle finger attempting to make a sliding catch in the outfield two days later.
Gerut didn’t play in another game for the Padres, missing the final month of the season.