Carlos Gonzalez needs to hang up the cleats for good

The Seattle Mariners released over 30 minor league players, including one time star Carlos Gonzalez.

There was a time when Carlos Gonzalez was one of the most feared sluggers in the game. A solid all around outfielder, Gonzalez won three Gold Gloves and was a three time All Star, a player who won a batting title and would typically slug over 25 homers a year. His resume before turning 30 was impressive.

However, after his 30th birthday, Gonzalez has not been the same. He was no longer even an average producer at the plate, forced to take a minor league deal from the Mariners in hopes of resurrecting his career. Those hopes ended on Thursday, when he was one of the over 30 minor league players cut by Seattle.

Gonzalez was decent with the Mariners in spring training. In his 25 March plate appearances, he produced a .273/.360/.318 batting line, drawing three walks and striking out five times. However, the power simply was not there, with just one double.

It is possible that a team could give Gonzalez another chance. The universal designated hitter for the 2020 season could be a chance for a team to take a shot at a player who was once amongst the best in the game. At 34 years old, there is a chance that he could turn back the clock once more.

But it speaks volumes that the Mariners were not willing to keep Gonzalez on board for the time being. Seattle is in the midst of another rebuild, and would potentially be looking for short term assets to trade during the season. Gonzalez failed to impress during his time on the roster.

Gonzalez has had a solid career. Over his dozen years in the majors, he has produced a .285/.343/.500 batting line, hitting 302 doubles and 234 homers while stealing 122 bases. But his best days are long behind him, his decline coming quickly. At this point, there does not appear to be anything left in the tank.

Carlos Gonzalez had a solid career. But it is time to hang up the cleats for good.