Alex Gonzlez about to sign with Cinci

Three years, $14 million for Alex Gonzalez, via Gammons.  Depending on what you think of A-Gon’s defense, that might be a good deal.  Gonzalez doesn’t get a love of love from traditional statheads since his career OBP is a mere .292, but the bar is pretty low for shortstops.

He’ll be 30 next year, so there’s no reason to expect a major fall-off; Baseball Prospectus has his wins above replacement (WARP) at 3.2, 3.5, and 2.7 in the last three years.  If you figure he’s good for 3 wins, that’s less than $2M per win–a great, great deal in this market.  That’s based on BP’s fielding metrics, which have Alex as below average with the glove.  If you believe, as the Reds seem to, that he’s above average, it’s even better still.

Then again, it’s not quite as good a deal as Felipe Lopez will be for the Nationals in arbitration.  Felipe made $2.7M last year and will get a sizable raise, but he’s been worth over 5 wins each of the last two years.  I’m sure Gary Majewski will be worth it.

By Jeff Sackmann