Utilityman Marwin Gonzalez is garnering interest from at least six teams, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link). The Red Sox have been linked to Gonzalez in recent weeks and continue to be involved in his market, Feinsand writes, while NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury (via Twitter) reports that the Phillies are also interested in Gonzalez’s services.
Gonzalez has been roughly a league-average hitter over the last seven seasons with the Astros and Twins, with two exceptions — his .907 OPS outburst over 515 plate appearances for Houston’s World Series team in 2017, and his dismal .211/.286/.320 slash line over 199 PA with Minnesota last season. Gonzalez’s hard-contact numbers weren’t impressive in 2020, but his .241 BABIP indicates that there was perhaps a bit of misfortune at play, not to mention the overall unusual nature of the 2020 season adding uncertainty to stats.
Should Gonzalez get back to his usual level of production, his switch-hitting and ability to play multiple positions could make him a fit on many teams, Boston and Philadelphia included. The Red Sox are known to be looking for a left-handed bat to augment their largely right-handed projected roster, while the Phillies are in need of bench depth and could also use a more proven bat that can hit from the left side of the plate.
The Tigers and Twins have also reportedly shown interest in Gonzalez at various points this offseason, though it isn’t known if either team is still considering the 31-year-old. Of the known suitors, Detroit can offer Gonzalez the most playing time and even an everyday role considering the lack of depth on the Tigers’ roster, though Gonzalez might prefer to play for a team closer to contending in 2021.
DON’T GO TO THE PHILLIES, MARWIN!
Gonzalez makes sense for a lot of teams like the Cardinals and Phillies. It’s always important to have an utility player. I think he will sign with the Dodgers since Kike Hernandez signed with the Red Sox.
Dodgers can have him unless he’s very cheap. Note his high water mark was the cheating year.
Pleased to see the Braves aren’t on the list.
blue Jays were linked as well
It was in the article it just literally goes without saying at this point.
Marwin should go to Miami as a vet. If he goes to Philly where would he play lol.
how many utility guys do we need?
9.
Yeah, isn’t Kingery already in that role? I must say, Dombrowski is certainly shaking things up. Makes me excited after the last few lackluster years.
Odubal Herrera is a better left-handed bat and they are already paying him.
Jim Salisbury mentioned backing up 1st
talk about a priority…we have Realmuto and Bohm
The Redsox rt handed lineup wouldn’t be a problem if JBJ was in it or the Brockstar.
Holt is toast. Turn the page. Hernandez is 10x better.
Also probably 3+ times the cost. if Holt can’t find a ML job, Sox should at least invite him to spring training as injury insurance and allow him to showcase himself for other teams if nothing else.
I wonder why he had a career year with the Astros in 2017. There’s no obvious reason.
Bang The Trashcan Slowly
His .241 BABIP may not be a bit of misfortune.
Knew that was coming
(just like every breaking ball he saw that year).
Well played.
He lit up Rubbermaid Park.
No one benefited from the cheating scandal more than Marwin Gonzalez based on stats alone. His 2017 season is reminiscent of Brady Anderson hitting 50HR in a round-fueled season; a statistical anomaly that stands out. A career .260ish hitter who averaged 12-13HR and 50ish RBIs all of a sudden hits .303/23/90. But since he isn’t in Houston anymore he largely gets a pass.
Red Sox need more versatility.
Still living off his one good cheating year. Don’t forget to tell your kids it’s okay to cheat everyone
Zzzzzzzz
For the Tigers, he looks like an older and more expensive version of Niko Goodrum, who I’m not 100% sold on. Pass.
A utility guy NOT being courted by the brewers? Must be asking more than 900k.
They prefer a juice dude to a trashcan listener
Why not the Marlins? Nationals? Or any Chicago team.
Does he play good defense at all his multi position versatility?
He’s solid defensively actually. That’s a big part of his value and appeal.
1 year 1 million signed by Oakland 100k deferred over 10 years 600k club option for 22
Gonzalez seems redundant for the Red Sox after signing Kike though the article does say “linked to the Red Sox in recent weeks” so that could have been before Hernandez signed.
They want someone who can hit from the left side that can also play first base Marwin fits that.
Likely won’t happen but I would love to have Marwin in the Bronx. He can replace Tyler Wade as the bench piece, as Wade really can’t hit
Marwin would be a good player for the Phillies.
He can spell Cutch, Hoskins and DiDi.
Sign him.
Marwin to Detroit makes sense..playing time and AJ Hinch
Bloom will come up late and a dollar short. He is only interested in bargain basement high upside guys. He needed starting pitching and came up empty. He needed bullpen help and picked up a salary dump from the Yankees. He needed a starting second baseman and came up empty except for a utility player. No one is going to want to come to this team unless he overpays. This is a 4th place team at best with a questionable pitching staff
Has been.
Nobody sign him, out of baseball at age 32
somebody will
We just signed Hernandez, why do we need Gonzalez? Would love Brock Holt back at this point.
Cora just needs him for the Cheat code
Let the Phillies have him ….
Yea! Let the Phillies have him! Bring us back Mitchy two bags!
Yawn…this is a nothing burger..I want to see or hear a fat rumor on a starter or pitcher for the pen..the rest of the team looks solid to me