FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -Ivan Rodriguez lined the first pitch he saw Thursday into center field for a clean single.
If only he could sign with a major league team that quickly.
The catcher without a contract had three singles and an RBI in Puerto Rico’s 9-5 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. The former All-Star then left with his teammates for San Juan and their World Baseball Classic opener Saturday against Panama.
When the tournament is over, the only player with at least 13 Gold Gloves and a .300 career batting average or higher could be with a major league team. He’s hoping it could be the New York Mets.
“I think that’s a great fit,” Rodriguez said. “Having me there (with) a young pitching staff … could be good for the team. Hopefully, the Mets can do whatever they need to do to have a spot for me.”
he shed little light Thursday on any progress since then.
“There’s been rumors about the Mets,” he said, “but as of right now there’s nothing firm.”
Rodriguez has been working out regularly in preparation for the WBC and said he’s in good physical shape. At 37, he said he’d be willing to take a one-year contract but was noncommittal when asked if he would accept a backup role.
“The manager has the control of that situation,” he said. “Basically, what I’m looking for is just to stay strong and be ready to play.”
Rodriguez has caught 2,173 games, 53 fewer than Carlton Fisk, the career leader in that category. He also has 2,605 hits and thinks he could play several more seasons.
But after hitting .295 in 82 games last season for the Detroit Tigers, he was traded to the New York Yankees, where he batted .219 in 33 games. He spent one season in Florida, 2003, hitting .297 as the Marlins won the World Series.
“I think he’s the type of catcher that can help a team,” said Boston third baseman Mike Lowell, a member of that Florida team. “Defensively, he’s still very good. I think people want the Pudge that was hitting 25, 30 home runs every year and I don’t think you’re going to get that, but I still think you can get a very productive catcher.”
The free agent market has developed slowly for some.
tek didn’t do that until Feb. 6. Rodriguez is still waiting.
“The economy’s not doing well right now and it’s understandable,” Rodriguez said. “Everybody’s been suffering from the same stuff.”
Rodriguez scored the first run Thursday after his single off Clay Buchholz in the second inning.
“I think I faced him probably seven or eight times and I think he’s seen nine pitches from me,” Buchholz said. “He hits every first pitch that I throw him.”
Rodriguez led off the fourth with a single off Michael Bowden and scored to give Puerto Rico a 2-1 lead. He grounded out in the fifth then singled in a run in the four-run seventh when Puerto Rico broke a 5-5 tie.
In his final at-bat, he struck out on three pitches against Daniel Bard, expected to be Boston’s closer at Triple-A Pawtucket.
Rodriguez swung at and missed the last pitch, a 99 mph fastball up in the strike zone.
“I didn’t have a scouting report or anything,” Bard said. “I’m going off what I’ve seen of him on TV in the past. I approached him like I’d approach any other good right-handed hitter.”
Rodriguez hopes he’ll play in more exhibition games after the WBC.
“There’s still a lot of spring training left so, hopefully, yes, I would love to be in a major league uniform opening day,” he said, “I’m sure that (agent Scott Boras) is going to find me a job somewhere.”
Notes: Brad Wilkerson hit a leadoff homer in the three-run sixth when Boston tied the game at 5. … Felipe Lopez singled in two runs for Puerto Rico. … Knuckleballer Charlie Zink walked three, hit one and threw a wild pitch in Puerto Rico’s four-run seventh.
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