Juan Gonzalez comin' to Beantown?

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

I've read on bostondirtdogs.com (yes this isn't the first time you've heard me say this) :D that Juan is reporting to Red Sox training camp on monday the 20th to try to win a spot. Though he only has 10 days to do so, he can start with Pawtucket and work his way into the majors again. I think this is a good thing, though he is old and injury plagued, there really isn't anything negative about this. I'd love to see the old Juan all over again.

[RedSoxVT92]

Intresting. I think he should retire personally but I wouldnt mind him in pawtuckett and attempt to get back to the majors. He wont make the roster with only 10 days to prove himself. He is way past his prime he can barley play anymore because of injurys. But he could be a good pinch-hitter off the bench.

[DoubleX]

Here an ESPN.com article on it. (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2375780)

I feel like I've been saying this for the past five postseasons when someone takes a chance on him - low risk, high reward, so it could be worth it. But Gonzalez has pretty much disappointed each time and can't seem to stay healthy, so I'm not nearly as optimistic about Gonzalez as I have been in recent years.

[Blackout]

sterrrrrrrrrrrrroiddddddddssssss

[efin98]

Low price, potentially high reward. Veteran fielder who could replace Nixon when he gets his yearly injury. Also a good backup in case Ortiz ever gets hurt this year(God forbid!)

They have nothing to lose on him, why not take a shot.

[DoubleX]

Low price, potentially high reward. Veteran fielder who could replace Nixon when he gets his yearly injury. Also a good backup in case Ortiz ever gets hurt this year(God forbid!)

Normally I'd agree, but Gonzalez is even more injury prone than Nixon. Chances are that if Nixon goes onto the DL, Gonzalez will already be there.

[KCGHOST]

As soon as Juan gets a guaranteed pay check he will be on the DL before you can say "Gone".

[efin98]

Normally I'd agree, but Gonzalez is even more injury prone than Nixon. Chances are that if Nixon goes onto the DL, Gonzalez will already be there.

Maybe. Maybe not. It's a small risk that the team can afford to take at that low of a price considering the potential benefits. I'd rather have him doing the back up work and have Adam Stern in Pawtucket getting ABs and fielding than sitting on the bench waiting until July or August for Nixon to reinjure himself. At least there the guy can hone his skills so that he can contribute more to the team sooner...

[Mike D.]

I agree with what most are saying...a very low-risk, high-reward signing. If Juan Gone is really done, all the Sox waste is a few bucks (probably not many, although it hasn't been reported yet) and a few spring training and AAA at bats on him.

If he's healthy, he could contribute...giving them another DH/OF guy with power. If he could spell Nixon in right from time to time, all the better.

[Boston Boxer]

I agree with what most are saying...a very low-risk, high-reward signing. If Juan Gone is really done, all the Sox waste is a few bucks (probably not many, although it hasn't been reported yet) and a few spring training and AAA at bats on him.

If he's healthy, he could contribute...giving them another DH/OF guy with power. If he could spell Nixon in right from time to time, all the better.

I think they gave him 600,000 and if he meets all of the incentives he would top out at 1 mil...that is chump change.

[WackyMooseSoltersFan]

If you asked me four years ago would I like to see Juan Gone come to Beantown, I'd say, yeah, awesome, great. But now I just don't understand where he will fit in.

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

well so much for this happening, now he's supposed to be heading to Oakland's minor league system. Since the Sox have Mo now, they don't need Juan Gone. Oh well, he's WAY past his prime anyway.

[Mike D.]

well so much for this happening, now he's supposed to be heading to Oakland's minor league system. Since the Sox have Mo now, they don't need Juan Gone. Oh well, he's WAY past his prime anyway.

Interesting...where'd you hear this? Got a link by any chance?

[SwissRedSoxFan]

well so much for this happening, now he's supposed to be heading to Oakland's minor league system. Since the Sox have Mo now, they don't need Juan Gone. Oh well, he's WAY past his prime anyway.

Hopefully this isn't true...I mean a healthy Juan Gone fits in every lineup. He costs very little money and agreed to go to Pawtucket. What do you want more???

[Boston Boxer]

Interesting...where'd you hear this? Got a link by any chance?

he is gone

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=131794

[runningshoes]

he is gone

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=131794

Good riddance.

If he jumped ship because of the Mo Pena trade, I don't know why he thinks the situation will be any better in Oakland, unless Thomas goes down.

[Mike D.]

According to the Globe, there's no validity to the Oakland A's story, which was originally reported in a Dominican paper, I believe.

Link:

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/03/23/papelbon_may_start_thinking_like_a_reliever/

See the last item on the bottom of the page.

[Mike D.]

Good riddance.
If he jumped ship because of the Mo Pena trade, I don't know why he thinks the situation will be any better in Oakland, unless Thomas goes down.

Is Thomas even playing games yet? Honestly, I think Oakland would be a better fit, what with them having Thomas as their Plan A DH.

[Paulmcall]

The guy is a bum now. It was shameful how he got a ton of money last year for nothing.
WE had him in Detroit and when was starting his decline. He rallied the next year for Cleveland and parlayed that into a few seasons of something for nothing.
The guy is now like fine china...touch him and he gets a pulled muscle and is on the DH.
You'll get mo out of Willy MO than you will with Juan. What a waste of money.

[RedSoxVT92]

Juan Gonzalez shouldn't even play any more. He is wayyyy past his prime and even past his playing career so I dont know why he keeps trying to play again. Willy Mo Pena will be a much better option. A young power threat who could become a great player and wont go on the DL all the time. Much rather have Pena out their than Gonzalez.

[Mike D.]

Juan Gonzalez shouldn't even play any more. He is wayyyy past his prime and even past his playing career so I dont know why he keeps trying to play again. Willy Mo Pena will be a much better option. A young power threat who could become a great player and wont go on the DL all the time. Much rather have Pena out their than Gonzalez.

Can't really fault a guy for wanting to keep playing. He probably has plenty of money, but 36 is a bit young to be "retired".

And from Boston's standpoint, signing him is a zero-risk situation. He wouldn't make much, and if he does well in extended spring training and AAA, they can either call him up as a pinch hitter or trade him for somethign of value to a team who needs an OF/DH type.

[Boston Boxer]

sterrrrrrrrrrrrroiddddddddssssss

Shefieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeld and Giammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmbi

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

Shefieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeld and Giammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmbi

hahahahaha I know once they heard about Bonds having evidence against him, they both started sweating.

[Evangelion]

As soon as Juan gets a guaranteed pay check he will be on the DL before you can say "Gone".
That's where his nickname Juan "Gone" Gonzalez really came from. ;)

With Gonzalez's injury history, 36 is not too young to retire.

[caribeño]

This same afternoon , on a local TV channel , Juan stated that he hasn't make any type of deal with Boston or any other team . That he doesn't want to play AAA ball . That he is very healthy , and training and waiting .
We could realistically think that working on AAA level would be the best thing for him at this stage due to the fact that he hasn't face many pitchers in the last couple of seasons , and , of course his age . But that's the way he thinks .

[YOUgodofwalks]

This same afternoon , on a local TV channel , Juan stated that he hasn't make any type of deal with Boston or any other team . That he doesn't want to play AAA ball . That he is very healthy , and training and waiting .
We could realistically think that working on AAA level would be the best thing for him at this stage due to the fact that he hasn't face many pitchers in the last couple of seasons , and , of course his age . But that's the way he thinks .

''He committed to the Red Sox, he is under contract," Nero said. Nero being Juan's agent, so if the agent thinks he's under contract but Juan doesn't, could be problems.

[Paulmcall]

Sounds like he hasn't changed much from when the Tigers had him. What a pain in the patoot. You'll have nothing but trouble with this guy. A real prima donna past his prime.

[SwissRedSoxFan]

What's up now with Juan Gone?

Is he a Pawtucket Red Sox or not?

I don't see him on the AAA-Roster!

[Jager]

Last I heard was a couple weeks ago and he didn't report to camp because we traded for Wily Mo Pena, and no one had heard from him even his agent.

[SwissRedSoxFan]

Does anybody has updates here and for Sosa? Would be interesting...

[JohnGelnarFan]

There's a thread in the current events section that says Gonzalez just signed with the Independant Long Island Ducks of the Mid-Atlantic League. Wonder if anyone will give him another shot.He sure was a great hitter when he was healthy.