The Red Sox are monitoring the market for left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweets. The Scott Boras client remains a free agent and intends to play in 2012.
The Indians and White Sox have been linked to Gonzalez this month, but the Athletics no longer seem interested and the 33-year-old turned down a minor league offer from the Rangers. “In these markets, sometimes late doesn't mean demand, it just means choice," Boras told Tim Dierkes three weeks ago.
Gonzalez posted a 4.39 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 53 1/3 innings for the Orioles and Rangers in 2011. Franklin Morales, Rich Hill, Felix Doubront and Andrew Miller are among Boston's left-handed options, but the latter two southpaws have been in the mix for rotation spots.
Might as well give him an incentive laden deal. Worst case scenario he soaks up 1.2M base and performs poorly.
So the catch word for what the Sox are doing today when it comes to pitchers is “monitoring”. Now fans can add that word to the ever growing list.
In these markets, as far as what Gonzalez brings to the table late does mean Little demand. Mr. Boras you need to accept accountability, market and players performance as part of the process.
guy can be effective if he can stop giving up HR’s. AL has not been friendly to him, but I’m surprised an NL team has not offered him a decent deal.
Worth noting in the article that Morales likely won’t be healthy for opening day and Hill is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Might not make an appearance until May/June.