Giants negotiating with Alex Gonzalez

[Mays-Fan]

Brewers, Cardinals, Giants In Talks With Alex Gonzalez: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Brewers, Cardinals, Giants In Talks With Alex Gonzalez
By Mark Polishuk [December 1, 2011 at 5:18pm CST]

5:18pm: The Brewers and Cardinals are also interested in Gonzalez, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.

4:48pm: The Giants are negotiating with free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, reports Fernando Gonzalez of ESPN Deportes (passed along via Jim Bowden's Twitter account). The Giants had been rumored as candidates to sign such bigger-name free agent shortstops as Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins, but with relatively little payroll space to go around, the other school of thought was that prospect Brandon Crawford could get the starting shortstop job.

Like Crawford, Gonzalez brings strong defense (a career UZR/150 of 6.3, though it dipped to -0.4 last season) and not much of a bat (a .241/.270/.372 line for Atlanta last season). San Francisco could use Gonzalez and Crawford in a righty-lefty platoon next season, plus Gonzalez could be a valuble mentor to the 24-year-old.

The Braves didn't offer arbitration to Gonzalez (a Type B free agent), so Atlanta wouldn't receive a compensation pick if Gonzalez signed elsewhere. The Braves hadn't ruled out re-signing Gonzalez themselves to act as a veteran bridge to their own shortstop prospect, Tyler Pastornicky.

 

[KingsOwn19]

He would be an upgrade. He can field and run in to one every now and then...but doesnt Gonzalez have sort of an attitude?

Hell, just watching him play the Giants the past couple years alone i've seen him not run out grounders in situations that turned out to be costly and act like a baby in quite a few games we played against them.

 

[SFGRTB]

Just give Crawford the damn job. Gonzalez doesn't field well enough to make up for Crawford's bat. They'd probably equal about the same production and Gonzalez will be much more expensive. Crawford is on the way up while Gonzalez is on the way down, save the money for Beltran pleaseeeee!

 

[MacJ88]

Seriously, if it's between Gonzalez and Crawford just let Crawford take over the reigns. I smell Edgar Renteria 2.0

 

[Heathbar012]

Seriously, if it's between Gonzalez and Crawford just let Crawford take over the reigns. I smell Edgar Renteria 2.0

Not quite that bad, but I agree. Maybe Edgar 1.5. Either way, he isn't enough of an improvement over replacement unless Crawford really struggles. I guess the real question is: would he be enough of an improvement over Fontenot? Jerry Hairston, Jr.? For how much Gonzalez will cost, I'd say go get Jerry. More positions, used to the role, much cheaper, etc.

 

[SF11704]

I just don't understand the reasoning. This isn't a move designed to provide 'impact'. Hell, that would have to be Reyes or something similar. Does this give us anything more than another Fontenot? If this is what you're after then sign Hairston. Much better fit. If the plan is to give the position to Craw and have Gonzalez as a failsafe if he fails ... I'd still opt for Hairston. Not sure where any of this leaves Fontenot.

 

[Heathbar012]

Too much agreement! Where is Cam?!

 

[tzill]

I'll pee in the punch bowl. And where is GP these days anyway??

I think this is a solid, small move. Craw is going to be the SS, he's a left handed hitter. Gonzalez will be the platoon guy, getting 1/3 of the ABs, when the Giants face a lefty. Little drop off in defense. Fonty and Kepp are inferior defensively. Gonzalez won't be horrifically expensive. He's got some pop (career 400 slg) and won't hurt you in the 8 hole.

Downside: he K's a lot and he's not a good OBP guy. But we're not asking him to hit at the top of the order or get more than 250 ABs.

As to why not JH2? I'm guessing he's more expensive or wants more years. He's an inferior SS, but is a better utility guy. I'd be perfectly happy with him as well.

All of this leads me to believe that they're holding back payroll for CarBel.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

:arg:

 

[msgkings322]

I'll pee in the punch bowl. And where is GP these days anyway??

I think this is a solid, small move. Craw is going to be the SS, he's a left handed hitter. Gonzalez will be the platoon guy, getting 1/3 of the ABs, when the Giants face a lefty. Little drop off in defense. Fonty and Kepp are inferior defensively. Gonzalez won't be horrifically expensive. He's got some pop (career 400 slg) and won't hurt you in the 8 hole.

Downside: he K's a lot and he's not a good OBP guy. But we're not asking him to hit at the top of the order or get more than 250 ABs.

As to why not JH2? I'm guessing he's more expensive or wants more years. He's an inferior SS, but is a better utility guy. I'd be perfectly happy with him as well.

All of this leads me to believe that they're holding back payroll for CarBel.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

:arg:

tzill, always for all the moves. tzill = Sabean?

I think gp stated once he isn't into offseason rosterbation at all. I imagine he'll be back in April.

 

[tzill]

tzill, always for all the moves. tzill = Sabean?

I think gp stated once he isn't into offseason rosterbation at all. I imagine he'll be back in April.

I think you're right about GP.

And it's SABEYSABES to you....

 

[filosofy29]

tzill, always for all the moves. tzill = Sabean?

I think gp stated once he isn't into offseason rosterbation at all. I imagine he'll be back in April.

Correct.

and Correct.

 

[SFGRTB]

I just don't understand why the Giants are going to dish out $5 million to Willie Bloomquist or Alex Gonzalez before they man up and bring back 'Tran. Lets face it, the Giants will have a hard time winning the division without another power bat, its possible with the pitching but the chances greatly increase with Tran.

Wait for the bargain hunting until January.

 

[EKmane]

Seriously, if it's between Gonzalez and Crawford just let Crawford take over the reigns. I smell Edgar Renteria 2.0

World Series M.V.P? I'll trade off 3 horrendous regular season's for that! Please believe it.

 

[SportsTIPS]

It won't happen, Giants won't spend the money.

 

[CameronFrye]

You guys realize that 2011 was not an aberration for Gonzalez, right? Dude is consistently a .240-.250 hitter with an OBP of .280-.290. He'll hit you 10-15 bombs and drive in 50 or so while striking out 135 times and generally being below average in all other aspects of the hitting game. He will play solid, unspectacular defense and will hurt the team more than he will help it.

I realize that Crawford is likely not ready for full-time duty, but if you're going to sign a crappy SS, at least sign one who has potential to help the team like Rafael Furcal. Sure Furcal has been injured and ineffective lately, but when he's healthy, he's a legit player. Gonzalez will never be legit for any reason.

 

[msgkings322]

You guys realize that 2011 was not an aberration for Gonzalez, right? Dude is consistently a .240-.250 hitter with an OBP of .280-.290. He'll hit you 10-15 bombs and drive in 50 or so while striking out 135 times and generally being below average in all other aspects of the hitting game. He will play solid, unspectacular defense and will hurt the team more than he will help it.

I realize that Crawford is likely not ready for full-time duty, but if you're going to sign a crappy SS, at least sign one who has potential to help the team like Rafael Furcal. Sure Furcal has been injured and ineffective lately, but when he's healthy, he's a legit player. Gonzalez will never be legit for any reason.

Seconded and repped.

 

[Mays-Fan]

I'll pee in the punch bowl. And where is GP these days anyway??

I think this is a solid, small move. Craw is going to be the SS, he's a left handed hitter. Gonzalez will be the platoon guy, getting 1/3 of the ABs, when the Giants face a lefty. Little drop off in defense. Fonty and Kepp are inferior defensively. Gonzalez won't be horrifically expensive. He's got some pop (career 400 slg) and won't hurt you in the 8 hole.

Downside: he K's a lot and he's not a good OBP guy. But we're not asking him to hit at the top of the order or get more than 250 ABs.

As to why not JH2? I'm guessing he's more expensive or wants more years. He's an inferior SS, but is a better utility guy. I'd be perfectly happy with him as well.

All of this leads me to believe that they're holding back payroll for CarBel.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

:arg:

Agreed. On the upside, in 2011 he had a .725 OPS vs LHP, vs ,614 vs RHP. We are getting him primarily to hit against LHP.

Also in 2011, he had a .696 OPS after the ASB, only .607 before. That includes 1.018 in Sep/Oct when the Braves were trying to make the playoffs.

He's cheap, he's a platoon player to complement BCraw, he provides depth. Good tactical move if we can get him.

 

[Badger8843]

Gonzo would be an upgrade over Crawford

 

[CameronFrye]

Gonzo would be an upgrade over Crawford

Not for the amount of money it would take to sign him.

 

[Mays-Fan]

Gonzo would be an upgrade over Crawford

He is an upgrade when we face LHP. That is (presumably) the intent.