September 15, 2006
Gonzalez to Go
Luis Gonzalez met with the Diamondbacks yesterday, and he's not getting the Bernie Williams deal.
It wasn't his call, but Luis Gonzalez's tenure with the Diamondbacks will end after this season. Club officials informed the popular left fielder on Thursday they have no intention of bringing him back for 2007.
Gonzalez, 39, who is in the final year of his contract, will go into the off-season as a free agent in search of an everyday job.
I can't argue with the move. The chance for a big decline for Luis is high at his age. Given his 2006 numbers, he'll get a job somewhere, although probably not for $10 million. The Diamondbacks are going younger:
Byrnes said the starting left field job in 2007 will go to Eric Byrnes, the popular, energetic outfielder with 23 homers and 21 steals in his first season with the Diamondbacks. The rest of the outfield will feature rookies Chris Young in center and Carlos Quentin in right.
Moorad also said the club made clear to Gonzalez that it would like him back in the organization when his playing days are past, perhaps as a broadcaster or a coach.
A very good move. Maybe that money saved can be spent on improving the pitching staff.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:39 AM
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Lee Sinins' daily emails showed that Gonzo has more RCAA for the Diamondbacks than the rest of the franchise's top 10 combined. He has 265, and the next closest is Steve Finley at 63.
Just because he's at the top of a rather short list (due to a short history), doesn't mean he's still worth being paid market value, especially with the Diamondbacks having to young and productive OFs in the wings and being able to remove Byrnes's below average D from center should help their OF defense, as well. And like David mentions, now they have a very good opportunity to use the extra money on pitching.
