The Nationals announced that they have signed left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez (Twitter link). Gonzalez, a client of the Boras Corporation, will report to Viera, the team announced. He signed a minor league deal, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post tweets.
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. The Indians, White Sox and Athletics had some interest in the 33-year-old, who turned down a minor league offer from the Rangers this spring. Scott Boras has said Gonzalez is returning to health following offseason knee surgery.
The Nationals' bullpen currently includes left-handers Sean Burnett and Tom Gorzelanny. As MLBTR's Agency Database shows, the Boras Corporation represents a considerable number of players on Washington's roster.
Nice job by the Nats here. He was actually better last year than you might think.
Wow, what an excellent move by Nationals management, Gonzalez is an excellent piece of pitching to have in your system
Well there is a reason why he isn’t currently on any ones roster , but he’s probably better than ryan perry…so a good low risk move
Hard, hard time figuring why Anaheim not in on Shaky. They, of all the contenders need a BP fix and he couldn’t have gotten much.
Guy is a left-handed Kevin Gregg and couldnt stand watching him pitch for the Os. Only thing worse than having to watch him unable to throw strikes was having to watch him unable to throw strikes while dancing around on the mound with that terrible delivery.
Nice sign to a minor league deal, he has an ERA under 3.00 for his career. And I think he will be better in the NL.
Could be an important pickup for the Nats later in the season, particularly if the bullpen suffers more injuries. (Storen, Lidge, et al)
I think he should have signed with the Red Sox or Mets instead. Gonzalez was a Boras client so hopefully Washington didn’t overpay.
I fixed this for you:
“I think he should have signed with the Red Sox or Mets instead. Gonzalez was a Boras client so hopefully Washington DID overpay.”
Nats will definitely flip some RP+ for a CF at some point. (I hope)
I don’t think so Kevin. Rizzo is so infatuated with BJ Upton.. He probably already has a uni made for him.
Not that they might not find some patch work guy to fill in for 2012, but Rizzo might even overpay for Upton on a 3-4 year deal after the season.. My guess is 4 years guaranteed at 13-15m w/an option year.
Upton is so over-rated… kills me.
Hey, why not get John Grabow and trade for Matt Capps to go along with Burnett, Gonzo, and Gorzy. Then you can have an all ex-Pittsburgh Pirate bullpen. Heck, I hear Ian Snell isn’t doing much these days.
Why stop at Ian Snell? Dennis Konuslewski is still breathing…
Good signing assuming he’s been without a team for so long because he had unrealistic demands instead of teams just not wanting him.