MLB Free Agency: The top 30 free agents for 2018-2019
By David Hill
12. Marwin Gonzalez
A Swiss Army knife in the field, Marwin Gonzalez is a player that any team could use.
Following in the footsteps of super utility players like Ben Zobrist and Brock Holt, Gonzalez winds up with a starter’s worth of plate appearances, but is rarely in the same spot on the diamond in any game. Over each of the last two seasons, he has played at least 20 games in left, second, short, and first, while making appearances at third, center, and right. Seemingly, the only thing that Gonzalez cannot do is play catcher and pitch, although it would not be a surprise to see him as the emergency catcher some day.
Despite that constant movement, Gonzalez has been a consistently solid hitter. Even though his 2018 campaign did not approach his breakout performance from 2017, it was still a decent showing for the utility man. Gonzalez had a .247/.324/.409 batting line, hitting 16 homers and 25 doubles. While his batting average was down, Gonzalez set a career high with 53 walks, showing a bit more plate discipline than in the past.
His combination of decent pop, along with the ability to play virtually anywhere on the diamond, would make Gonzalez the perfect option for any team. Need a backup infielder? He can play every position. Looking for a starting infielder with some pop? Again, Gonzalez fits the bill. The only question is, was 2017 a fluke year? Even if it was, he is still an above average hitter with incredible versatility.
Marwin Gonzalez can fit on virtually any team in the game. His eventual contract may end up being higher than one would expect.