MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:18 am EDT

Alex Gonzalez coming back to Red Sox to start at short?

By Mark Miller

“AlexThe Julio Lugo(notes) Experiment didn't work for the Boston Red Sox at shortstop and Jed Lowrie(notes) spent the whole season with one injury or another, it seemed. The team obviously needs a steady shortstop and the word from the Boston Globe is that the team would like it to be Alex Gonzalez and the club has an option on his contract. Case closed, right?

No. There is a problem. The option for Gonzalez is apparently for $6 million. But the folks in Boston reportedly don't want to give him that kind of dough. So the team is expected to try and negotiate Gonzalez to a lower price.

Word is that Gonzalez might do it if the team is willing to name him the starter before the 2010 season gets underway.

Source: Boston GlobeNew Window

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101 Comments

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  1. dagoldeneagle
    1. Posted by dagoldeneagle Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    compare to those bad contracts the red sox throw around, 6 million is paltry.
    show some class and pick up that option.
    gonzo has great glove and a steady bat with power, but do boston really need to save 1 million bucks when they invested 120 million on the colossal bust matsuzaka not to mention clement, smoltz, and penny?
  2. nepatsfan0520
    2. Posted by nepatsfan0520 Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:47 am EDT

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    There are worse things to spend money on than a great defensive shortstop. They need to save where they can because everyone knows the yankees will throw everything but the kitchen sink at Mauer next off season and he's their future (if they can sign him).
  3. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    3. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:48 am EDT

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    Certainly worth 6 mil. Lowrie has been inconsistent and looks like he could be injury prone. Also I hope Gonzo is joking in saying he will reduce his pay for word of mouth. I hope his agent is telling him to be quite.
  4. joarby2
    4. Posted by joarby2 Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:05 am EDT

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    Morning Artist, I agree with your post #3
  5. Lennox
    5. Posted by Lennox Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:12 am EDT

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    Give 2 year contract for 9 million... SIGN THIS GUY UP!!!
  6. str A's hooter
    6. Posted by str A's hooter Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:15 am EDT

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    I think the Red Sox need a younger shortstop for the future. Alex Gonzalez filled in nicely this season, but will be showing his age, soon. Boston must take care of more important business like signing Jason Bay for another 5 years, and easing Ortiz out of the lineup. Martinez is a more appropriate DH. Lowell is about done with his artheritic hip. A long-term replacement at third is critical. Looks like Boston should have a busy offseason!
  7. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    7. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:16 am EDT

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    Morning joarby - Cant wait till Friday.
  8. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    8. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:18 am EDT

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    morning Str A's - Red Sox dont need to look far for 3rd base. Youkilis will be at 3rd and Martinez will be at 1st is what I see happening.
  9. Matt
    9. Posted by Matt Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:20 am EDT

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    This is the first time I've ever heard someone say 'steady bat' while talkign about Gonzalez.
    He had a good stint with Boston....but he'll be Lugo part II.
    The Sox SHOULD have traded for Orlando Cabrera this summer instead. If Minnesota doesn't resign him, bring him back. He was great in the clubhouse and a key member of that 04 championship. His defense is slipping, but not bad. Would cost about the same as Gonzalez too.....probably less even.
    Worth $6M?!?!?!
    I'm sorry, I don't care how good his defense is, but no player who has posted an OPS over .700 only twice this millenium is worth $6M. Is John McDonald worth $8M then? Better defensive SS and no bat as well. good grief
    Boston fans seem to forget AGonz last stint in Boston....that .695 OPS was uber good, lol
  10. Thomas
    10. Posted by Thomas Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:23 am EDT

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    And where is that younger shortstop? I agree, however, let's get Gonzalez in the mix for next year for continuity's sake. His defense at short is like money in the bank. I've spent the better part of four years holding my breath when a ball is hit to short.
  11. joarby2
    11. Posted by joarby2 Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:50 am EDT

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    Artist, I too can't wait...
    and yes, Youlk will be at 3B/1B and Victor at 1B/C...they need a C really bad. I have suggest Mauer to take 3/4 of the C job and Victor can do 1/4 of C.
  12. medic87
    12. Posted by medic87 Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:56 am EDT

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    To DAGOLDENAEAGLE
    Have you lost your mind, Gonzalez "steady bat with power" The guy barely bats his weight, and has virtualy NO power, he is known for DEFENSE only, that about all he is good for. That my friend is not worth 6 mil. I love his glove work, but thats about all.
  13. Red Sox Nation
    13. Posted by Red Sox Nation Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:07 am EDT

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    Everyone keeps talking like Mauer is a lock in to come to Boston. If I remember A-rod was a lock, Texeria was a lock as well and look how that went. Vmart really does not want to stay in Boston. He said as much when he stated he never wanted to leave Cleveland. I never read or heard where he said he was happy being in Boston. I do not expect Vmart to stay. There are some catchers in the minors that the club is excited about but not sure on their progress. I loved Varitek behind the plate for all of those years and he was one of the best catchers this decade but in order for him to be back next year they have to have a bat at SS. Two sub par bats in the line up at the bottom is not going to cut it. Plus he seems to not be able to throw base stealers out anymore.
  14. str A's hooter
    14. Posted by str A's hooter Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:12 am EDT

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    Good morning, Artist
    I don't think Youkillis is a long term answer for third base. He did a decent job in place of Lowell while he was healing, but he is better suited for first base. Mauer would be awesome behind the plate if the Red Sox can coax him away from his cabin in the woods outside of St. Paul. He may be a little disappointed with how the Twins fell short during the playoffs. Now is the time to dangle a carrot in front of his nose!
  15. DannFive0
    15. Posted by DannFive0 Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:17 am EDT

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    The Red Sox season is over lets worry about this stuff in the spring.
  16. BronxFinest.............
    16. Posted by BronxFinest............. Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:22 am EDT

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    Boston is the worst
    sweep i love it
    boston fans talk so much crap
    they got 2 championship with roids mannyroid & papiroid
    that was the only way they broke the bambino curse
    now its back to normal they wont see a championship for another 86 year
    hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
    go yannkees
  17. Matt
    17. Posted by Matt Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:23 am EDT

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    #12,
    In fairness to Gonzalez, he does have some pop. Has hit 23 HRs in a season and hit 16 in 2007 before the injury hit. If you started him 140 games or so he'd hit 10-15 probably. Just will hit around .210-.220. His defense also is not nearly as good as what it was pre-injury.
    Seems like a club like the Red Sox with all their resources (aka, money) should be able to do better at such an important position on the diamond.
  18. Matt
    18. Posted by Matt Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:25 am EDT

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    #14,
    Considering the Sox lost in the same number of games.....don't think how they finished in the playoffs will have anything to do with him leaving.
    Remember, the Twins did this run without Morneau in the lineup. Put him in that lineup against the Yanks and things would have gotten a bit more interesting (Yanks were still clearly better though).
    Twins are the one team in the Central that actually could grab hold next year and run away with it if they are smart this winter and their starting pitching improves a bit.
  19. Mark
    19. Posted by Mark Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:27 am EDT

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    Red Sox Nation -
    I agree that some Boston fans are already penciling Mauer in to their 2011 lineup and as you said, it's definitely no lock. You're right about Teixeira. Boston fans that was a sure thing, and it never happened. However, you're wrong about ARod. He wanted to come to Boston and was not allowed to restructure his contract to make it happen. The deal was done. Having said that, part of me is glad ARod is not in Boston. He brings heaps of talent and heaps of issues.
    Also, you are right that they need some sort of offensive pop at shortstop. AGonz was definitely not the only one at fault, but Boston only managed one run in their first two games of the ALDS. Regardless of how good your defense is, that won't get the job done. Offense is needed. I'm cold on AGonz and only a little warmer on Tejada. The best bet is, unfortunately, to try to find a trade partner. I can't imagine AGonz being the starting shortstop on a world-series-winning roster.
  20. The Real Deal
    20. Posted by The Real Deal Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:31 am EDT

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    Gonzo is worth the $6 million. Give it to him. They gave a bum like Julio Lugo $36 mil over 4 seasons. Red Sox fans who expect big changes in 2010 may be disappointed. The Sox have alot of big names in the last year of their contract next season. Theo Epstein at the news conference yesterday said that next year may be the last opportunity for the current group of guys to win it all. Look for big changes in 2011, minimal changes next year.
  21. ricko
    21. Posted by ricko Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:53 am EDT

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    red sox may stay pat, unfortunutly they are tied into contracts through 2010, and 2011 is a union/owners contract year, red sox need to do some improvements if they want to stay competitive with the yankees, gonzalas would be a start, red sox need to look long and hard at varitec and lowell, unfortunutly thier stuck with ortiz, i m sick of watching him trot to firstbase carrying his bat and shaking his head, not good, but bay s gonna cost alot, the halliday sweepstakes should be interesting, and felix hernandez could become available if the mariners lose hope in resigning him
  22. Ryan P
    22. Posted by Ryan P Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:00 pm EDT

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    bronx finest..you say we talk alot of crap..that post just supports that you are hypocrit. roids are part of your team too lets not forget (prolly every team for that matter). regardless, the red sox are a good team, just fell short. and well, they do it with team chemistry and class in management..yankees just see the top name(s) available, give them 200mill and up until now thats been a waste. enjoy your winning season, but like the red sox your guys are old too. we'll see how good your team is in the future when youve already traded all good minor leaguers to get big names. go red sox
  23. frank58370
    23. Posted by frank58370 Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:26 pm EDT

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    The Sox will let the market decide gonzo's worth. My guess is noone offers that guy more than $4M for 1 yr. Why should the Sox pay the extra $2M? The reality is Gonzo will have to weight taking a slight discount for having the honor to again play for a contender or taking at most $4M to play for a bum squad like the O's or the Reds.
  24. earl
    24. Posted by earl Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:52 pm EDT

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    So we can agree that Lowrie is a UTL and not a future starting SS...
  25. ectg31462
    25. Posted by ectg31462 Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:05 pm EDT

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    Hard to put Lowrie in as the starter if he will be plagued by injuries, and it will be hard for him to be a future starter if he can't prove he can stay healthy. You need somebody who will play, not spend half the season on the DL. I'm not a big fan of Alex Gonzalez, but he is a good defensive SS and maybe he can stay healthy.

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