Already off to a slow start, the Cleveland Indians were in need of some help. That help will come in the form of their newest acquisition, Carlos Gonzalez.
On Saturday, a new face was found warming up with the Cleveland Indians ahead of Saturday’s game with the Kansas City Royals.
The contract of Carlos Gonzalez has been selected and he will make his Indians debut Sunday against the Royals in Kansas City.
Gonzalez had played the last 10 season with the Colorado Rockies, where he was part of three separate postseason teams in 2009, 2017 and 2018, and finished in the top three for NL MVP in 2010 when he finished in the top five of the triple-crown categories with Joey Votto.
Gonzalez was not initially on the team’s 40-man roster so a move will have to be made for Gonzalez to take a major league spot.
SportsTime Ohio was able to catch up with the 33-year old outfielder prior to Saturday’s game:
Carlos Gonzalez will make his debut for the @Indians tomorrow afternoon in Kansas City. @DreKnott pic.twitter.com/y01oexvyWR
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) April 13, 2019
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Gonzalez played six games in Triple-A for the Columbus Clippers prior to the call. In those games he played left and right field. He hit .348 with a 1.004 OPS with one double, one homer and three RBIs.
Gonzalez is joining an Indians team currently 8-6 and in second place in the AL Central. However, their record is sheer coincidence it would seem.
They are currently sitting as one of the worst hitting teams in the league.
Their team batting average is below the Mendoza line at .185 (last), they have hit 10 homeruns (27th), 44 runs scored (28th) and a .573 OPS (last).
The timing couldn’t have been better as the outfield has rotated between Tyler Naquin, Greg Allen, Leonys Martin, Jordan Luplow and Jake Bauers.
Additionally, only five players are hitting above .200; one of them above .300 in Carlos Santana.
Gonzalez, who sat in free agency until the final days of Spring Training, is more than ready to help push the Indians forward offensively and in the division.