Red Sox Decline Option On Alex Gonzalez

Sign him, Dombrowski. He's an upgrade.

Just Kidding!
Still, he fits the description of ABE (anyone but Everett)!

Gonzalez 100% NEEDS to be back. We need him.

Not a real shocker, it was plain Gonzalez was not worth 6M, then they are not sure Lowrie is ready either and don't have a backup plan in place, still there are a multitude of options available (including Gonzalez) and I would not be surprised to see him back at a salary that is much more realistic, that is in the 3-4M range and a 1 yr, with at most a club 2nd year option.

Gonzalez has stated that he really enjoys playing in Boston and can't see his having the option declined as a detriment, even he has to realize that 6M for a glove specialist is a serious over payment, he signed that contract before serious leg injuries that have taken away some of his range and he has to show he can really hit again also over the long haul.

Just please, please stay away from Scutaro Epstein, besides the fact he is 34 years old and will cost a 1st round draft pick, the Sox already have 2 turd SS far too many fans here (and other places) simply refuse to stop harping about and another will drag this out until the next decade. Please help stop this endless rabble of DOA SS before it begins and don't sign another aged turd waiting to happen.

I would say Gonzalez is back with the Red Sox, the Red Sox are interested but not at 6million.

They will hope Lowrie heals and hits in the major similar to he hit in the minors, but Gonzalez to split time with would be great for the Sox.

They need a good fielding SS.

The Red Sox will probably watch the Jack Wilson situation in Seattle in gauging the value of Alex Gonzalez. The Mariners reportedly are in negotiations for an extension with Wilson, but must decide soon whether to exercise the $8.4 million option on Wilson for 2010.

According to FanGraphs, Wilson was worth $8.5 million last season and $26.4 million over the past three years. Gonzalez was valued at $2.4 million and $18.8 million.

Wilson turns 32 years old in December and Gonzalez turns 33 in February.

Since JJ is gone i would love to see Gonzo at short. Not much else out there, Scutaro is not the answer until Jose get here so please bring him back for way less the 6 mill.

Tejada, OC or Agon on 1 year deals would be ok.

Not sure what is really viable or worth it on the trade market for SS's. Drew? Hanley(very unlikely), Reyes(very unlikely, but it's the Mets)?

Iglesias is the best SS prospect the Sox have, but he's probably at least 2 years + out.

I wonder if he'd sign as a utility infielder. He'd be better then Cora.

Fangraphs significantly overvalues defense in their calculations (IMO). Gonzalez has value as a SS but he is nowhere close to a $6m/year player. Maybe $2-3m w/incentives.

Really though I question whether a guy like that deserves a spot on a team like the Red Sox. With their resources (talent + money) they should think long and hard about really upgrading that position instead of just throwing a warm body into the role.

"Whom would you suggest? How would the Red Sox acquire that player? Do the Red Sox have the financial resources in light of owner John Henry's investment woes?"

The Red Sox as a business unto themselves made over $25M last year. On top of that are the resources available from NESN. John Henry's investment firm is a completely separate entity from the sports group.

At least the Boston Globe business reporters wanted to ask the question, according to the final paragraph of the Globe's report on Saturday:

"A Red Sox spokeswoman declined to comment on the state of Henry’s business or its impact on the ball club’s finances."

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/11/07/sox_owner_trims_quarter_of_staff_at_fla_firm/

If a principal owner's divorce can impact team finances, why not a principal owner's investment firm?

@Thrill55

So if Henry made a bunch of money in other ventures he would spend more on the Red Sox, even if he lost $26 million the season before? C'mon, be a little bit reasonable. The McCourt's divorce is over how ownership will be divided, you are comparing apples and monkeys.

Are you saying Chone Figgins at short? Wow, yeah remember Julio Lugo's defense? Think that, then multiply it by 10.

Posted by: brian91388 | November 08, 2009 at 08:38 PM

He's played short before, how are you comparing Figgins to Lugo?

Yeah, in his 987 career games he has had a whopping 17 starts at short. Chone Figgins would be a greater disaster as a full time shortstop than Lugo was. Add that with the money and years you would have to commit to an aging player that relies on speed and you have a certified horrible idea.

"He's played short before, how are you comparing Figgins to Lugo?"

He's started 17 games at short during his career and none since 2005. I'd rather Nick Green start short.

As for Gonzalez getting regular playing time for the Sox, I'm not sure what the problem is. The Sox need to upgrade defense at short, Gonzalez is the answer. He's not a great hitter but he has a career line of .282/.315/.426 at Fenway and not every player in the lineup needs to be as productive as Youk and Pedroia. Put him in the 8 hole and every pitcher on the Sox staff won't care if he's batting the Mendoza line when he's being a vacuum at short.

"I'm just saying it could be worth a shot. He's a good defender"

Same logic says we should give Beltre a shot at short or Pedroia a shot and trade for Uggla. I'd much prefer a proven shortstop over a guy we "hope" plays short.

As a BoSox fan..if they can sign Gonzo at something closer to 2 or 3 million, I would be fine with a tandem of Gonzo/Lowrie and then maybe even give Iglesias a chance at some playing time later on depending on how everybody's first halfs go. The word on Iglesias is amazing defense with practically no bat, but given the Sox' lineup they MIGHT not need Iglesias to become that much better of a hitter before they can try him out in the bigs. If we can pick up Tejada for a 1 year deal at something reasonable that would be fine too I suppose.

Im all in for bringing Gonzo back for 2 yrs til the kid is ready..Like some said, he hits great at Fenway and is a freakin vacuum at ss..2-3 per should be good i would think..

This doesn't mean that Alex Gonzalez isn't coming back. He isn't worth anywhere close to $6 million, but it would make sense for the Red Sox to bring him back for less money. It is pretty obvious that Jed Lowrie isn't the answer, and Gonzalez batted over .280 after coming to the Red Sox last season.