It’s been rumored for some time that free agent reliever Mike Gonzalez and the Texas Rangers have mutual interest in working out a new contract. While it appeared some outside circumstances, namely a pending Koji Uehara trade, were holding up the situation, it seemed to be just a matter of time before Gonzalez inked a deal with the Rangers. However, Gonzalez’s agent, Scott Boras, indicated yesterday that several other teams could be in play for the left-hander beyond just the Rangers.
While talking with MLBTR.com’s Tim Dierkes yesterday, Boras said that Gonzalez is “in play with a lot of teams right now”. Boras went on to note that “a lot of it has to do with situational needs and clubs” and that “in these markets, sometimes late doesn’t mean demand, it just means choice”.
Deciphering Boras speak can sometimes be difficult, but the super-agent seems to be trying to communicate that the reason his client is left unsigned this late into the game has more to do with the multiple choices he faces and less to do with a lack of options.
Gonzalez hasn’t been good lately, but there are signs that he could still be an effective reliever if used properly. Last season Gonzalez still displayed an ability to get left-handed batters out, holding them to a .574 OPS compared to a .900 mark versus right-handed batters.
Texas is reportedly interested in bringing Gonzalez back in this capacity, but few other teams have been tied to Gonzalez this offseason. We’ll see if Boras’s ‘several other teams’ develop as they seem to so often do.
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