[Vermonter At Large]

I'm sure I missed the Gonzalez discussions in the mega-threads, but since he was also mentioned in the Herald article, I would like someone to tell me what the potential upside from his signing could be.

Here is the link to his ESPN player card: Gonzalez Player Card


And the quote on his scouting report:

Quote

Scouting Report From STATS INC.
Alex Gonzalez: Hitting
On the negative side, Gonzalez still never has drawn more than 33 walks in a season, and last year he ranked last in the majors in on-base percentage. However, the Marlins have stuck with him because they view him as the most dangerous No. 8 hitter in the game. A trained mistake hitter, Gonzalez needs to do a better job tracking quality breaking balls on the outer half. Deceptively strong, he tends to grow enamored with his power stroke at the expense of situational hitting. Righthanders ate him up by preying on his unwillingness to take balls off the plate. Lacking the speed to leg out hits, he is prone to long slumps. (More)

That scouting report is a year old, but since he played himself out of a job with the Marlins last season, I doubt that much has changed. I know the guy plays great defense, but can we afford to have a player in the lineup who is so totally undisciplined at the plate? How much is it going to take to sign this piece of flotsam who made 3.4M last season?

Someone please enlighten me.

[Div School Sox Fan]

By Zone Rating, Sea Bass is ~10 runs better than Cora in the field. Their offensive projections are about even, Cora with a better OBP, Gonzalez with more power.

If the Sox think Graffanino can't handle the glove at short, and they think Petunia still needs some AAA time, then I'm fine with Sea Bass as a mild upgrade. Assume he'll be quite cheap, maybe 1 year, 2M or something.

[Vermonter At Large]

Div School Sox Fan, on Jan 22 2006, 09:36 AM, said:

By Zone Rating, Sea Bass is ~10 runs better than Cora in the field.  Their offensive projections are about even, Cora with a better OBP, Gonzalez with more power.

If the Sox think Graffanino can't handle the glove at short, and they think Petunia still needs some AAA time, then I'm fine with Sea Bass as a mild upgrade.  Assume he'll be quite cheap, maybe 1 year, 2M or something.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

From what I envision from the scouting report, I can see Gonzalez having some offensive utility in Fenway, but probably a severe negative offensive value on the road. Maybe the Sox could keep both happy by a Cora/Gonzalez platoon where Gonzalez plays 81 games at Fenway and Cora plays 81 games on the road.

Actually, lets split that 30-each, with Pedroia being the starting SS for the final 102 games.

[redsox1918]

I going to assume the FO is just focusing on defense at shortstop with Gonzales. I'm wondering now if Cora will decide that he wants out? Also, it will be very interesting if Pedroia has a very good ST and at what position, SS or 2B?

This post has been edited by redsox1918: 22 January 2006 - 09:01 AM

[Tudor Fever]

Gonzalez's OBP was even worse than it appears last year because 10 of his 31 BB were interntional. To be fair, he did improve his OBP in 2005 vs. 2004 (.319-.270) but his SLP went down (.419-.368, due to his HR decreasing from 23 to 5).

Assuming that this rumored deal happens, maybe the plan is to keep Cora and do a lot of pinch-hitting (Peta?).

[Drek717]

Gonzalez has shown some good pull power before in his career, it wouldn't surprise me if the FO see him as a good defensive option who at this point in his career can be coached into an average offensive SS, largley thanks to the advantages of our home park.

I'd have no problems signign Gonzalez as long as it was on a relatively small money deal ($2.5M annually or so) that doesn't go beyond '07 unless its with team options.

[reggiecleveland]

I will reserve my reaction until I see the cash but he looks like a poor man's OC.

[OCD SS]

If he's cheap, I guess I don't really care. His ESPN card has him as a excellent defender but rather slow? At least he's not the other Alex Gonzalez.

Were Theo's first words upon his return "I caught you a delicious bass?"

[dauber23]

reggiecleveland, on Jan 22 2006, 10:11 AM, said:

I will reserve my reaction until I see the cash but he looks like a poor man's OC.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the money is reasonable, this is a "can't hurt" signing. We still have Alex Cora and his big stick if A Gon can't get the job done. Worst case scenario is we bought defensive insurance up the middle for minimal cost. And after suffering through Renteria's horrible 05, that is not an insignificant benefit.

If we overpaid in terms of money or years, then the opposite is true.

[sdfdranger]

this would obviously be a stopgap move for a year until lugo is a free agent next year, at which time the sox will make a strong pitch for him.

[Alacoldart]

Count me among those not in favor of signing A-Gon, now or before this whole thing came down the pipeline.

Cora has proven to be a good defensive SS and will likely cost less money. Why feel the need to appease the sportswriters by signing a guy who is virtually the same player, but with a reputation for being a great glove? I know Fpct. is not the greatest determining factor in a player's defensive reputation, but since MLB uses it as an official stat I feel safe in saying that the fact that Alex Gonzalez's Fpct at SS was worse than Alex Cora's Fpct at short. That the one has played more games a SS than the other may be why, but I believe Cora to be a better player offensively (and faster, easily) and would be more than happy to see him manning that position and batting in the 9-hole than see the team spend any kind of money on Alex Gonzalez.

Unless there is some trade package getting put together that will move Cora, Graf, Clement, and Nixon for Bobby Abreu and prospects, this is a move that screams "Okay, we're signing a shortstop...will you shut up about it now?"

[dauber23]

Alacoldart says:

Quote

Unless there is some trade package getting put together that will move Cora, Graf, Clement, and Nixon for Bobby Abreu and prospects, this is a move that screams "Okay, we're signing a shortstop...will you shut up about it now?"

Hmmm. Even that may be worth 2.5 mil.

I think this is a nice defensive pick up at a defensively critical position.

This post has been edited by dauber23: 22 January 2006 - 12:26 PM

[Shea Hillenbagwell]

If Gonzalez is clearly better defensively than Cora, then I think it makes sense to spend a couple million on him. I'd rather have someone who has a better offensive history, but it makes sense to go with a defensive-oriented player at the most critical defensive position when you've got limited options. I keep wondering about Bill Hall, though.

[OCD SS]

Shea Hillenbagwell, on Jan 22 2006, 12:39 PM, said:

I keep wondering about Bill Hall, though.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Me too. The Brewers said something about signing him to a longterm deal because of how well he handled the Koskie trade, but I'd still love to start him at SS. I think that after half a season of Koskie, Hall will be back to regular playing time and unavailable at the deadline.

[MarkJC1018]

I am perturbed that a Boston Red Sox team will have Alex Gonzalez as its regular SS. I mean, this guy is a black hole in the lineup. Sure, he has pull power, but he'll be pulling singles down the LF line off the wall. I hope to God we are only signing him to a one year deal, since there's no demand for him, because I read a month ago that he was still interested in signing a deal for two years somewhere. As a buddy of mine said, he is a more expensive version of Pokey Reese. His OBP is absolutely horrific, and he will be like having a pitcher in the 9th hole.

[67WasBest]

I am no AGon fan, but he was the starting SS for a World Series winner. A WS winner that had less overall talent than the 2006 Red Sox have.

Is he capable of doing with the bat what Renteria did last year? I don't think there is any question he is capable of that. If so, all other things being equal, the team is improved over 2005 offensively.

Youklis gives us Pro's production
Lowell gives us Millar's production
AGon covers Renteria
Crisp covers Damon

Add the improved pitching to the mix and I am quite pleased with the 2006 Red Sox.

[OilCanShotTupac]

Is the defensive upgrade over Cora enough to justify this? I don't think so. I don't care about Gonzalez having the potential for more power; I don't think HRs from the SS are a necessity. I just want the guy to not be an automatic out. With a subpar OBP and a lack of speed, Gonzalez is exactly the kind of guy I don't want. I'd rather go with Cora and the possibility of Pedroia.

[satyadaimoku]

Word association:

Alex Gonzales

annoying worthless boring waste of time offensive black hole francona will give him way too many at bats pedroia and cora could do just as well

et cetera.

[Drek717]

satyadaimoku, on Jan 22 2006, 03:07 PM, said:

Word association:

Alex Gonzales

annoying worthless boring waste of time offensive black hole francona will give him way too many at bats pedroia and cora could do just as well

et cetera.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or....

Alex Gonzalez,

Superior defensive SS than any current Red Sox MI, pull power hitter with major flaws in his offensive game. Likely available cheap due to lack of market for him following a bad '05.

You can paint a doom and gloom picture all you want with Gonzalez, but if you ignore the extra money spent he's likely an upgrade over Cora for SS. Worst case scenario he's an extra layer of protection who should defend well.

Lay off the idea of Pedroia playing significant time at SS in '06. Its looking pretty clear that the FO expects him to be in Pawtucket next season. Can't really fault them since he's coming off an injury and is only proven to be exceptional at the AA level.

This post has been edited by Drek717: 22 January 2006 - 02:50 PM

[67WasBest]

satyadaimoku, on Jan 22 2006, 02:07 PM, said:

et cetera.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ad nauseum!