MLB Free Agents: Mike Gonzalez Update

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Oakland Athletics are no longer interested in former Orioles closer and lefty reliever ace Mike Gonzalez. In this piece on Call to the Pen, Mike Gonzalez is identified as a good fit for the Texas Rangers and a not-as-good fit with the A’s. Gonzalez will be ready to return from arthroscopic knee surgery soon, which is definitely good news for the oft-injured reliever.

The Chicago White Sox are most likely not willing to part ways with starting pitcher Gavin Floyd, and there isn’t much evidence showing that the team is discussing a trade with the Blue Jays involving Floyd. The Sox are also not pursuing Mike Gonzalez, which means that it is looking more likely that Gonzalez will end up pitching in Texas next season.

He was acquired in a trade during the season and sent to the Rangers, and there is still a good chance of him re-signing there. The exalted LOOGY could become the closer for the Houston Astros, as their situation in the bullpen is dire; especially after trading incumbent Mark Melancon. In any case, Mike Gonzalez will have to take a pay cut if he ends up in Houston.

The strikeout artist should have a 9.75 K/9 and will be worth around 0.5 WAR, making him a worthy option in the bullpen. He has a career 2.82 xFIP against left-handed hitters, so he is definitely going to help a team out in that regard. Mike Gonzalez is a solid veteran reliever who should be a steal on a one-year deal and a worthy, small investment for a team in need of bullpen help. The White Sox and Athletics aren’t going after him right now, which isn’t surprising given the lack of moves made by the Sox this offseason.

Be sure to check out all of Call to the Pen’s transaction breakdowns for the 2011-12 offseason. You can follow Call to the Pen on Twitter at @FSCalltothePen or like us here on Facebook.

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