MARCH 19: The deal has now been announced.
MARCH 16, 6:31pm: It’s a minor league deal that includes an early April opt-out date, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. The contract comes with a $2MM major league salary and $1MM in incentives, per Heyman.
6:16pm: The Indians are closing in on a deal with free-agent outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Jorge Urribarri first reported the connection.
Prior to Saturday, it had been a quiet few months for Gonzalez, a Boras corporation client who seemingly hasn’t drawn much serious interest since he reached free agency last November. The 33-year-old is coming off a mostly successful tenure in Colorado, though, having batted .290/.349/.516 with 227 home runs and 118 stolen bases over 5,069 plate appearances since 2009 – his first season with the Rockies. The three-time All-Star has typically fallen short outside of the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field, however, evidenced by his .323/.381/.592 lifetime slash at home against a .251/.307/.420 showing on the road. Moreover, the left-handed Gonzalez has underwhelmed against same-sided pitchers, who have held him to a .261/.297/.434 mark.
It was more of the same in 2018 for Gonzalez, who slashed a decent .276/.329/.467 with 16 homers in 504 PAs but did most of his damage at home and against right-handed pitchers. Meanwhile, CarGo was a mixed bag in upward of 1,000 innings in right field, where he recorded a woeful DRS (minus-eight) but a strong UZR (4.8) and a respectable Outs Above Average mark (one). Historically, Gonzalez has performed well in the outfield, as shown by his 16 DRS and 26.2 UZR in 1,271 career appearances.
Gonzalez, who was with the Diamondbacks and Athletics prior to his Rockies stint, is now joining his fourth major league organization. Even though Gonzalez didn’t land a guaranteed deal with the Indians, he still may have a realistic shot to crack their roster early in the season. The outfield has been a glaring weakness in Cleveland for a while, after all, yet the club didn’t make any major additions to it before signing Gonzalez; further, the Indians lost Michael Brantley, Lonnie Chisenhall, Brandon Guyer and Melky Cabrera in free agency, and Bradley Zimmer is still on the mend from July 2018 shoulder surgery. As a result, the Indians are projected to open the season with the unspectacular Leonys Martin–Jake Bauers–Tyler Naquin–Jordan Luplow quartet, which seems to leave room for Gonzalez to work his way back to the majors in short order.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Good match of player and need at least on the surface.
That’s what I thought. Wonder if he has anything left in the tank though. No doubt he’ll get a descent shot in Cleveland.
He isn’t bad by any stretch. He just isn’t an all star anymore.
Agreed it’s a good match. Boras is becoming the king of getting former stars minor league contracts. His magic is clearly gone
Heyman being beaten to a scoop on a Boras client is pretty shocking.
This is my surprised face.
And I read that wrong.
Heyman only tweets the things he is paid for.
Adam Jones was the better fit given how left handed heavy Cleveland’s OF and lineup already are.
Completely agree. But Adam got a guarantee. Ownership can cut cargo before they owe him any real money. Which given their moves this offseason seems to be very important.
Progressive field plays better towards lefties hence the lefty heavy lineup.
Hey the Indians finally decided to add!
Math is hard.
username checks out
Dang! Was hoping the White Sox would ink CarGo. Oh well, smart move by the Tribe!
I’ve watched this guy with the Rockies for years now. One, he doesnt hurt you on the field (outstanding arm, average range in RF) and is always capable of batting for a decent average. The power has gone down over the years, but no doubt in my mind if given the right opportunity this dude can slash at least .270 with 10-15 bombs. Great signing, especially it being a minor league deal.
Yes I’m aware of the -8 DRS, I’m not a huge fan of stats but when watching him play you see how good he is on the field. Coors is a tough RF to play and with a better defensive CF to help him with the tougher balls in the gap I believe his defensive stats go up.
Early April opt out? It’s almost April now and he is just breaking camp. No way he makes the club unless they have some OF shelved.
Do you see what he’s competing against? He only has to beat out Jordan Luplow or Hanram. Very possible.
they’ll probably keep him in extended spring training to open the season
Idk. He’s a hitter. He’ll have time to get into a couple of games. If he was a pitcher there’d really be no other choice at this point but I think he could crack the opening day roster. Especially with an opt out that early. That’s essentially 2 weeks into the season.
Bad signing because when someone leaves Colorado there not as good as when they are there in Colorado
typically, but beats most of Cleveland’s OF options.
Exactly. He’s still better than what they have.
Matt Holliday (among others) says, “Hello.”
Was rooting for this guy and Adam Jones to get signed.
Was is past tense….so you are no longer rooting?
He’s no longer rooting because they got signed
Generally things I root for, I keep rooting for. A real fan doesn’t let go but heck you definitely been affected by the X virus.
Yeah I know it took a lot of brain to figure out that one
Thanks, rice.
The obsession is real… I don’t even expect baseball comments from certain ppl anymore.
Also forgot: Grandy Man, Mark Reynolds.^^
Denard Span is probably just as good if not better than any of them at this point. He should be next. You can put a glove on him and pretend he plays CF every once in awhile as well. Wouldn’t hurt the Indians to call him up either
Have you had any thoughts/rootings towards Matt Holliday this offseason?
Leonis Martin will deliver whatever they would hope from Span in CF.
Span would be a 4th OFER. Competing with the likes of Jordan Luplow.
I’d like to say that I’m surprised Span isn’t in a better spot, however with the way things have gone the last two off seasons I’m really not. 🙁
It was imperfect tense, not past tense.
They gonna use him in hopes they make the worlds series vs CO?
You’re implying that they’ll get past the ALDS? Only making the playoffs cause their division is garbage. Astros made them bend down last year.
But this is the MLB we are talking about.. lots of luck involved. Indians could always catch fire in October and surprise. As could any of the 9 other teams that make the playoffs. We saw it happen w/ KC in 2014.
The best team always wins the World Series.
the royals at least had a capable bullpen in their playoff years.
“The Best Team” was certainly not the 2006 Cards, so you must be practicing your sarcasm.
I hate to admit it, In the end the 2006 cards were the best. That’s why they play a best of 7. Tigers were best on paper, the game is played on the field.
Not true….rarely does the best team win the WS….it’s maybe 20% true but 80% false because it takes a ton of luck to win the WS…ask any of the Giants teams from 2010, 2012 and 2014….didn’t even win their division in 2 of those years and backed into the playoffs one of the years they were a WC team….needing at least 1 or 2 other teams to lose and them to win on last day of season to get in…they were overmatched on paper in each series of each season yet still won…not because they were better but because they had heart and chemistry and perhaps the Bill Belichick of baseball in Bochy….if they were the best team in their own division they would have won the division over 162 games….instead they got in as wild card team and got hot at the right moment….the best team will usually win the most games during the long season but the team that wins the WS is generally the team that has the most luck go their way….just saying
The Indians have in my opinion the best 5 man rotation in baseball where their #4 Clevinger could be a #2 on most teams….they are built for the playoffs which they will get in because of the weak division….I don’t think they will get past the Astros or Red Sox but who knows if 2 or 3 of their aces get hot and Lindor and Ramirez get hot….they can go as far as the Royals and Giants did during their WS runs though those 2 Texans were built off of strong bullpens and timely hitting from unexpected sources….I think the Indians are better than both the Giants WS teams and the Royals WS teams….if the Giants 3 WS teams can do it I think any team can….all 3 of the Giants winning teams rank among the top 10 worst teams to ever win a WS….facts
You were so quick to point out the “no brainer” context in X’s reply….here are my words “in hopes”….Please your “no brainer” power here and think…
Two hot pitchers, stable bullpen and a few hot bats will be enough for a deep run. Cleveland has at least two pitchers capable of dominating. Not saying they will, but….
Exactly, they went into extras of Game 7 with a totally depleted rotation. A healthy rotation with Kluber, Carrasco, Clevinger and Bauer is dominant. Relievers are so hit or miss, at least allow the season to start and see it implode before trashing what they have. They should still win the division, so lingering around and finding a trade for a bat to plug a hole or two will give them a better chance of advancing than you may think they have.
That is a very impressive OF core for the Indians.
Their best outfielder is on a minor league deal.
When Jordan Luplow might make your roster, “impressive” and “outfield” should not be used together in such an instance.
Slight correction: Gonzalez was in the Dbacks organization, but was never on the major league club.
Naquin hasn’t taken advantage of the opportunity presented to him this spring. Gonzalez now has the opportunity to take RF from him, maybe in a platoon with Thompson.
You mean to tell me that the Indians didn’t have 2 starting outfielders out of that impressive bunch they brought to camp? Shocking really.
As for trayce Thompson I’m not sure I’d place a whole lot of stock into spring training numbers. A guy who just
OPS’d .648 in AAA and has horrific plate discipline isn’t a guy I’d bet on being very good. You’re in rough shape if you’re counting on him.
Thanks for your positive spin on things.
The truth is often difficult to hear.
Listening to you is even difficult(er).
If you’re mentioning the Indians’ outfield situation, Greg Allen is worth including. I really like him and I think he can be a pretty decent player.
He batted very well towards the end of the season. It seems people forget that. I think he has a shot to start. If we can get him at the top of the lineup, put Carlos 2nd, JR, Frankie, we have helped lengthen the lineup, even if just a small bit.
The Indians are deep with comeback and breakout type players: Bauers, Naquin, Santana, Martin, Zimmer, Hanley now CarGo… ragtag or sleepers?
Hanley and Santana should never see the outfield. Bauers probably shouldn’t either. Martin, Zimmer and naquin have been very injury prone. They have a very weak outfield.
They have a lot of intriguing options, but none of them offer any degree of certainty
And other teams have weak infields where Cleveland has two of the top players in the game period but all the internet GMs bashing the Tribe and dictating where they need to spend heir money ought to just slow down a bit.
What happened here was Matt Joyce ate dirt in ST.
If Carlos can’t beat the bums in CLE OF then he should retire and enjoy the 83 million $$$ he has made playing ball.
Brilliant!
This is one of the reasons the union is upset. Not that any of these guys are still (or ever were) all-stars but look at the lousy contracts guys like CarGo, Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds and Matt Adams had to settle for. This is why the union is pushing for the NL to adopt the DH. MLB better do something.
You mean the MLB should force teams to pay more than $2MM for players that could barely be considered above replacement?
This is something that will hurt teams, not help them. None of those guys should get much money because they were not good last year. Every team has guys that could outperform these guys in their AAA team. All you’re advocating is forcing those guys to get paid slower in favor of guys that have already made millions.
the Indians do not have anyone who can outperform Carlos Gonzalez in their outfield depth
I like the signing. For some reason, this team reminds of the ‘97 Tribe.
Have a bad feeling about how Dolan, Chernofetti and Francona are dealing w the outfield. and the team. Seems like Tito prefers old farts, and I think mgmt may be a little leery of young blacks and latinos because they don’t understand them… Cargo is sitting home all year for a reason- he is an ex PED guy who cant’ hit lefties or out of Coors field. Why entertain giving him an outfield job when younger more athletic guys like Greg Allen, Oscar Mercado, Trayce Thompson, and Al Luplow’s nephew have done everything they have been asked to do and then some Allen deserves to start 2019 in the outfield; he earned it., as does Mercado. Trayce and Luplow should be playing everyday in Columbus w Brad Zimmer to get at bats and work on their defense and they should be the first ones called if someone gets hurt or fails. Naquin exp over- he has had the chance to prove he can hit the high heat and he has not done it.. IBauers not really an outfielder- he’s 23 and needs to play regularly at 1B. Here again, the old fart Santana blocks the kid. My guess is the starting OF will be Martin who is 31 and has never been one of the better centerfielders, and Allen and Bauers or Luplow in the corners. High ceiling guys like Thompson, Mercado, Zimmer will not want to stick around if they play well in Columbus and are blocked… Bullpen still a problem. I would go Edwards, Perez, Otero, Olson, Hand, Grimm and maybe Wilson. Ramirez no, Cimber no, none of the rest of those jokers either. Not enough command, get behind in counts, and throw too many balls over the fence.
“and I think mgmt may be a little leery of young blacks and latinos because they don’t understand them”..
While I have no way of knowing how things are behind the scenes, that seems like an odd thing to suggest since Tito started 8 Blacks/Latino, last year (Gomes, Alonzo, Lindor, Ramirez, Brantley, Allen, Cabrera and Encarnacion).
Agreed with everything you said 2xnono. Francona does have a hard on for young players. Frustrating.
Like so many Rockies hitters, he’s a product of Colorado.
Lifetime Road Numbers.
251/307/420
Which makes him a reserve outfielder.
But one thing the so-called “Coors Factor” doens’t consider is how hard the other NL West parks are to hit in. Dodger Stadium, Petco Park, both are tough and San Fran and Arizona aren’t the easiest to hit in either. So I mean, the Coors factor is well and good but you have to consider that the road numbers are going to come up as well.
Not to mention, he will be playing in a bad division with a lot of bad pitching.
I still think while the thin air of Denver plays a part I think it’s also a psychological part that plays into it.
Out fielders have to play so deep due to the altitude effecting fly balls so balls that would normally be outs end up dropping in for hits this raising their batting stats at coors
So those balls don’t carry any extra distance, only home runs?
Pretty sure Chase Field in Arizona is second to Coors in being “hitter friendly”. If not it’s top 5. You hit a gap and you’ve got a triple.
I’ve never looked much into ballpark factors. Quality of pitching faced is the best indicator of success. Reds are in a hitter park and have had a scary lineup for years.. yet their pitching has not only stunk, but it’s stunk having to play half of their games in GABP.
You hit the ball right, you’ve got a hit. A pop up is a pop up. Groundball is a groundball.
I do think players like Matt Carpenter that have consistent warning track power could hit 50-60 homeruns at a higher elevation. That extra 4 feet would make him a sure MVP!
Why??????
He’s been a big benefactor of the coors field effect and he didn’t even have that good of a year at all despite playing half of his games there last season. Thankfully for the Indians he is getting paid peanuts
Mmmm. Peanuts
2 huge hurdles before CarGo joins the Indians…
1. He has to pass the physical; and
2. Stay healthy.
Glad for CarGo that he gets another crack at a MLB roster.
Glad for the Rockies that it isn’t with them this year.
I suppose this means Cleveland isn’t convinced the Padres are a good trade partner at this point but have at least kept the door opened a little bit with the minor league contract and early opt out. Perhaps that is there to get Preller’s best final offer