MLB Free Agency: Landing spots for Carlos Gonzalez

Unfortunately, free agents over the age of 30 have struggled to get contracts for more than one year in this and the previous off-season in MLB free agency.

One of those free agents who has not had much luck finding a team thus far in MLB free agency is Carlos Gonzalez. The left-handed outfielder turned 33 years old in October, so if the trend sticks, he’ll most likely sign a one-year contract probably after pitchers and catchers report.

In 2018, he did just that as the Colorado Rockies re-signed him in mid-March to a $5 million one-year contract.

After a solid 2018, CarGo is back on the free agent market and not much has been said about where he could land. In 132 games in 2018, he hit a slash of .276/.329/.467 with 16 home runs and 64 RBI. Those stats put him in respectable positions on every leader board when comparing him to other right fielders in 2018.

Keeping in mind that he is being ranked against players like Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper, that’s saying something about a guy who was 32 years old. He had the 5th highest batting average, 12th highest on-base percentage, and 7th highest slugging percentage.

Regarding his fielding percentage and range factor, he ranks in the top 10 with players who are younger than he is. In fact, his range was higher than Harper’s. His fielding percentage of .991 was tied with Nomar Mazara and Jason Heyward. Gonzalez still has something to offer to teams and playing in the outfield in Colorado has to mean something – especially considering how hitter-friendly that park is.

Gonzalez has one of the prettiest swings in baseball. His balanced, powerful, and complicated swing was broken down by The Denver Post in 2016. That swing still exists today and any team that needs a right fielder will certainly benefit from it as his career slash of .287/.345/.506 shows.

Could CarGo return to his long-time home: Denver, Colorado? Maybe.

There is a chance that the Rockies will choose to put a younger player in right field, simply because Nolan Arenado is entering his first free agent season. Keeping costs down in other positions could make it more likely that Arenado will stay on Blake Street.

Could the Rockies really choose David Dahl as their everyday right fielder? He will be 25 years old in the 2019 season. In 2018 he hit .273/.325/.534 with 16 home runs in 77 games. CarGo hit the same number of home runs, but his slash wasn’t as good.

Dahl also bats from the left, but he’s right-handed. 2019 could be Dahl’s season to prove himself without having to worry about Gonzalez. Keep in mind that Charlie Blackmon is also left-handed. Three of the outfield prospects on the Rockies roster also bat from the left. This could go against CarGo’s chance to return to Colorado.

Despite Dahl being the heir-apparent to right field, there is still a chance that Gonzalez could play there. He has proven himself over 10 season with the Rockies and he is a fan favorite.

It was unlikely that he was going to return to the Rockies for the 2018 season, but at the last minute the team brought him back for cheap. In 2017, the Rockies paid him $20 million. In 2018, they paid him $5 million. He might be even more of a bargain in 2019.

There were rumors in the 2017-18 off-season connecting the Atlanta Braves to CarGo and those rumors are still in play in this off-season.

Instead, they stuck with their veteran, Nick Markakis, who at age 34 had his first All-Star season. Markakis entered free agency after four years in the ATL.

The Braves outfield is currently stocked with two outstanding young players: Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Ender Inciarte. Interestingly, CarGo and Inciarte are friends who go back to Gonzalez’s days as a prospect with the Diamondbacks. The pair works out together in Orlando in the off-season.

Thomas Harding of MLB.com wrote a story about their friendship. And, that friendship could become a factor that could deliver Gonzalez to Atlanta.

The Braves are not opposed to signing veterans, as Alex Anthopoulos signed both Josh Donaldson and Brian McCann. Donaldson turned 33 in December, McCann will be 35 in February.

The Braves depth chart lists Adam Duvall as the only right fielder. He was traded to the Braves from the Cincinnati Reds at the July deadline and did not perform well. With the Braves, he hit an uninspiring .132/.193/.151. Clearly, Gonzalez would be an upgrade.

Unfortunately for right fielders like Gonzalez, his market is slowed by Bryce Harper. Since the Braves need a right-fielder, the media has discussed the possibility of the MVP being a good fit. There are also rumors of team showing interest in A.J. Pollock, but signing him would involve losing a draft pick, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

The Cleveland Indians are in need of outfielders and Gonzalez could be just the right price for them.

According to the depth chart on MLB.com, Tyler Naquin is slated as the top right fielder for the Indians. His 2018 slash was .264/.295/.356 with three home runs in 61 games. While Naquin isn’t awful, he’s not the caliber of player that should be in right field.

The Indians will most likely win the AL Central – again – as the Royals and Tigers are rebuilding. Their competition could come from the White Sox – who had added some veteran talent to their roster – and from the Twins – who were expected to compete in 2018, but didn’t.

The Indians strength comes from their infield and pitiching, but their outfield is sorely lacking in talent. And, that could hurt the team, especially if they do trade away a pitcher like Corey Kluber – as they have been rumored to be interested in doing.

What could go against the chances of Gonzalez going to Cleveland is his left-handed bat. Leonys Martin and Naquin both bat from the left. The team has several players who switch hit, including nearly all of their infield: Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, and Jose Ramirez. And, Jason Kipnis, who plays all over the field, bats from the left.

What could be appealing to the Indians is the fact that Gonzalez will not demand a massive salary. The Indians are a small market team that actually dropped salary at the start of the off-season. With Gonzalez only making $5 million in 2018, the Indians might actually be able to sign him for less – especially as the off-season closes in on spring training.

It’s difficult to suggest that any veteran player could go to the Marlins in MLB free agency, but their outfield depth is limited.

Eventually, the team will need to have some Major League players or the stands will be even emptier than they already are.

It’s doubtful that a player like Gonzalez would have any interest in playing for the Fish, but if an offer comes, it could be hard to turn it down.

Brian Anderson split his time between right field and third base in 2018 and is expected to play third in 2019. According to the Marlins website, the depth chart at right field consists of Magneuris Sierra, Austin Dean, and Peter O’Brien. Sierra will be 23 in April. He batted .190/.222/.211 in 54 games.

Dean hit .221/.279/.363 in 34 games and O’Brien hit .273/.338/.530 in 22 games. Clearly, Gonzalez would be an asset if he were added to the Marlins squad. Their 40-man roster consists of only four MLB-ready players who were not born in the 90s: Dan Straily, Wei-Yin Chen, Martin Prado, and Miguel Rojas.

Will CarGo go to the Marlins? Most likely not, but they sure could use someone like him to bring some fans to that beautiful stadium.