Already you ask? Yes, it looks as if the traveled veteran Greg Zaun is ready to hang 'em up. The first reports came from Sportsnet.ca saying, Catcher Gregg Zaun  "is set to retire from Major League Baseball". Ironically enough, it came on the same day he made his Spring Training catching debut. 

Early this morning, Zaun told Padres beat writer MLB.com's Corey Brock "his shoulder isn't where it needs to be, and he didn't want to leave the team hanging". When Padres general manager Jed Hoyer spoke to Brock, he said he would explore both internal and external options.

Now that Gregg Zaun retires, that brings up a question about the Padres depth or back-up options at the catching position. I know the Padres like Rob Johnson, Kyle Phillips and Guillermo Quiroz. The three catchers now will move up a notch on the depth chart. Johnson being the favorite, baring his health and performance progression this spring. His health status has been a huge question mark in the past, hindering Johnson's performance, and also requiring numerous surgeries.

The Free Agent market is non existent. The lone option standing, or sitting depending upon his off season regiment, is Bengie Molina. He could be an interesting option if the Padres were not comfortable with the three aforementioned catchers. Either way, the Padres will likely pick up another catcher. Johnson has had injury problems to say the least (as I've mentioned), and so has Quiroz. As for San Diego native Kyle Phillips, he has not caught more than 36 games in a season since 2005. I'd like to see him at some point during the year if he can continue to flourish. He has had a very impressive spring (early or not).

A list of Catchers that are out of options via Baseball Prospectus. 

Craig Tatum (Orioles) Max Ramirez (Cubs) J.R. Towles (Houston) Lucas May (Royals) Bobby Wilson (Angels) Hector Gimenez (Dodgers) Dioner Navarro (Dodgers) George Kottaras (Brewers) Wil Nieves (Nationals) Matt Treanor (Texas)