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Astros: Looking deeper into why they could want Carlos Gonzalez
A few reason why the Astros could be looking to sign free agent Carlos Gonzalez to a one year deal.
As I am writing this post, my co-expert Cody Poage is writing a post for why the Astros should not sign Carlos Gonzalez. In fact, many fans are vehement about not signing Gonzalez. Trust me; when looking at his 2017 stats, they don’t scream an everyday player on a championship team. The 32-year-old Gonzalez has a chance to bounce back in 2018 but is he what the Astros need?
Gonzalez hit 14 homers with a slash line of .262/ .339/ .423/ .762. His OPS was below league average for the second time in four years, but he followed the 2014 season with two productive years. The 2015 season, Gonzalez had 40 homers and followed with 25 in 2016. Is Gonzalez purely a product of Coors Field? Let’s take a brief look at his career splits.
Looking at the stats, it would wave red flags, which is why Gonzalez is still available. But, would a full season with the Astros be similar to what Carlos Beltran offered in 2017? These are the questions the front office was considering when they gave Gonzalez the rumored offer.
Astros rumors: Team has a contract offer out to Carlos Gonzalez
At this point, we know nothing other than the fact that an offer may be out there to Gonzalez. So we discussed the reasons on last night’s Talking Stros on why the Astros are pursuing the outfielder. These are our opinions.
Reason One: Probably only a one-year deal.
Don’t worry fans. The team is not looking at signing him to a multi-year deal. We believe that the Astros offer is probably only a one year deal. They could probably see Gonzalez as a one-year stopgap in left-field. If he tanks, the Astros could always rely on other options including Marwin Gonzalez, Derek Fisher, or Jake Marisnick or other young players.
He would add another left-handed bat to the lineup to strengthen it and win it all in 2018. Gonzalez could not offer what Beltran did for the 2017 Astros. Beltran is a future Hall of Famer, but Gonzalez could probably duplicate what Beltran did last year.
The other two rumored teams are the Giants and Padres, but the Astros have something the other two don’t. They have a great chance of winning the World Series in 2018. Gonzalez may be willing to take fewer years on a deal to join a team set to win the World Series.
Reason Two: Bridging the gap till Kyle Tucker is ready.
Jeff Luhnow is trying to build a team that wins now and later. The minor leagues are supposed to provide a constant influx of minor league talent. As we will see in a few seasons, it will be difficult for the team to offer the contracts to all the young core players. This adds another veteran presence in the lineup during this window, for at least this one season.
As much as we want Kyle Tucker to get up to the big leagues, team control will become a factor as we see players sign elsewhere. By signing Gonzalez, this would allow the team to keep Tucker down in Triple-A all season, without starting his arbitration clock. Tucker could get a September call-up, but they would have less of a need for him.
Reason Three: Could free Fisher up to be included in a trade for a catcher.
The future at catcher is up in the air after the 2018 season as Brian McCann, and Evan Gattis will both be free agents. While the Astros could attempt to re-sign McCann, he could be reaching the end of his offensive production. If he hits well in 2018, he could outprice himself from the Astros with the other players they will try to retain.
Gattis has already been told that he will be their primary DH in 2018, not likely to catch too often. This leaves Max Stassi as the backup catcher unless they go out and make a move before spring training starts. Garrett Stubbs is probably the next prospect up, but he may profile as a backup catcher. The Astros are a championship contender. They need a solid catcher for the future.
If you listened to last night's @TalkingStros, you heard us talk about the #Astros seeking a top-end starter. https://t.co/oBQxn9qk4u
— Talking Stros Podcast (@TalkingStros) January 8, 2018
Other catching options.
We saw how much McCann helped the pitching staff in 2017. They will be looking for a replacement. Now that they have a taste of a quality catcher, they want more. That’s why you see them kicking the tires of Jonathan Lucroy. Like Gonzalez, Lucroy is coming off a down season, but they could be confident in him for the next three seasons.
There have been some mentions of the possibility of the Marlins trading catcher J.T. Realmuto. The Astros are unlikely to be willing to trade Kyle Tucker or Forrest Whitely in any trade. No matter if you agree with the trades Derek Jeter has made, he will need prospects back in return. Fisher would most likely have to headline that deal. Without signing Gonzalez, the front office may not be willing to trade Fisher.
Next: Astros Rumors: Team could be looking for an upgrade at closer
These are a few possible reasons why they may be willing to sign Gonzalez to a one-year deal. He is not a long-term fix, just a domino piece for another move. At this point of the offseason, I could see these deals not happening. Just something to think about. If you ask me, I like Fisher and hopes he sticks around.
***Stats from Baseball-Reference***