Long Story at Short

What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been;
Light-Hitting Former Marlin Alex Gonzalez is Expected
to Become the Next Red Sox Shortstop

Herald: Sox Get Gonzalez for SS

No More Holes

"Gonzalez could be solid with the stick, but should be at least 'very good' with the glove. Alex Gonzalez, along with Mike Lowell, Mark Loretta, and Coco Crisp, becomes the latest player to leave a pitcher's park for the friendly dimensions of Fenway Park. I would not at all be surprised to see him put up something along the lines of a .277/.330/.430, with 12-17 homeruns, 70+ RBI, and over 70 runs scored. Perhaps it's community projection time? One scouting report had this to say:

"'(Gonzalez) has very good bat speed when healthy, and is one of the strongest middle infielders in the game. Not a base-stealing threat. Has good hands and agility, and exceptional range to his right. Has all the tools to be a very good shortstop.'" -- Over the Monster

Coming, coming, Gonzo

"The Red Sox are just a physical away from signing Alex Gonzalez to a one year, $3 million deal [according to a report in the Boston Herald]. Compared to Renteria last season, Gonzalez neither helps nor hurts the Red Sox. He just moves the wins from the offensive side of the ledger to the defensive side. In 2005, The Hardball Times calculates that Edgar Renteria earned 11.3 wins shares with his bat, 2.7 with his glove. Gonzalez, on the other hand, earned 6.9 with his bat, 6.2 with his glove. It's clear now that when the Red Sox signed Renteria to a $10 million a year contract, they expected him to return to his mid-20's win share form. That didn't happen. So if they're going to get win shares in the low teens from their shortstop they're paying less. There will be fewer runs scored and allowed in Fenway this season.

"Now that all the maneuvering is complete, nice job by the Red Sox this off season. The refused to over pay Damon, got rid of another overpaid player in Renteria, and picked a centerfielder with some upside along the way. I don't think they're a better team, but they're very close to where they were last year, saved some money, and gave the farm system another year to develop while they stay competitive. And if you're competitive, a little luck can take you a long way." -- Baseball Musings

Courting Alex

"Alex Gonzalez better be a vacuum cleaner, because he hits about as often as Johnny Damon shuts up: never. Historically, his stat line is eerily reminiscent of Rey Ordonez'. I recall going to several Mets games way back in the glory days when Ordonez was on the squad and positively marveling at some of the balls he got to and how easy he made moderately difficult plays look. I also remember thinking that he should have been hitting ninth, the pitcher eighth, so bad was the man with the bat. The Red Sox' lineup and the DH should offer some shelter to Gonzalez, but it's imperative that he perform exquisitely with the leather. This could be an experiment that lasts about sixty games, but at least they signed him for just a year and at modest dollars. Another new face -- welcome, Alex." -- Yanks Fan vs. Sox Fan