Red Sox sign utility player Marwin Gonzalez
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Red Sox still are not done adding to their roster, with less than a week remaining until players report for Spring Training. Their latest addition is utility player Marwin Gonzalez, whose signing was first reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
According to Feinsand, Gonzalez will get a one-year, $3 million deal. The contract also contains “a little more than $1 million in incentives.”
Gonzalez is the type of super utility player the Red Sox have been chasing all offseason. In his nine years in the majors, the 31-year-old has started 50-plus games a six positions. Center field is the only non-battery spot he hasn’t played regularly.
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At the plate, Gonzalez was a serviceable bottom-three bat until this past season. He began his career in Houston (with Alex Cora), where he hit .264 over seven seasons. Of course, that time overlaps with the Astros’ videotaping scandal, so some may put an asterisk next to those numbers.
The switch hitter signed with the Twins before the 2019 season. He hit .264 in 114 games that season, with 19 home runs and 55 RBIs. His numbers fell off during the 2020 shortened season, when he hit .211 in 53 games.
Gonzalez becomes the Red Sox second super utility player, joining Kiké Hernandez, who the team signed earlier this month. Versatility is always good, but it’s proving to be especially important in the COVID era, when – as we’ve seen in other sports – rosters can change drastically at the drop of a hat.
This isn’t Gonzalez’ first go-round with the Red Sox. He was drafted away from the Chicago Cubs by the Red Sox in the 2011 Rule 5 Draft, but was traded to Houston later that day for pitcher Marco Duarte.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
