View Full Version : So Long Gonzo....
The Arizona Republic is reporting that the team and made the decision to not bring back Luis after this season...
Sad, but all good things must come to an end...
DoWnWiThTheSiCkNeSs
09-14-2006, 06:41 PM
yea but he is nearing the end of his career
yea but he is nearing the end of his career
I totally agree... but do you think he will retire?
are his stats strong enough to catch the attention of some other teams in need of a left fielder?
shinco
09-15-2006, 09:07 AM
If he wants to play bad enough he'll easily beable to take up a Bernie Williams style role. Low pay, veteran leadership, etc...
Maybe Tampa Bay since he's from there? Maybe if he can pitch? :)
KCGHOST
09-15-2006, 10:13 AM
He still is productive, though his HR power seems to be waning. His OPS has declined slowly over the last four years, but is still a useful .820+. He will be 39 next year. I would think a number of temas could find a 300+ AB role for him.
wilkerson_rulz-06
09-18-2006, 05:01 PM
He can still play, 50 doubles is good enough for me, with some added power, 20 of those doubles would be HR and he would have a 30 HR 30 double season, but, those power days are over.
Chris from NY
09-20-2006, 06:33 PM
I'm sure there will be a couple of teams interested in bringing him in to play a role. His experience and ability to still play could prove to be valuable for some team in a playoff hunt or something.
WorldSeriesChamps_Cardinals
11-05-2006, 04:31 PM
I wonder who they are gonna get to replace him? IMO, he's a great player, and one of my MVPs.
SoxSon
11-05-2006, 05:19 PM
I'm sure there will be a couple of teams interested in bringing him in to play a role. His experience and ability to still play could prove to be valuable for some team in a playoff hunt or something.
I'll echo this sentiment. There are easily a few teams that should want Luis, even if they don't.
I wonder who they are gonna get to replace him? IMO, he's a great player, and one of my MVPs.
There were issues mid season that involved Luis being taken out of the lineup to make room for a young Carlos Quentin. The main issue Luis had was the fact that he has not been slumping (too bad anyways), but the dbacks brass wanted to get Carlos Quentin more playing time to see if he was in fact the real deal...
So look for Carlos Quentin to fill the gap...
There were issues mid season that involved Luis being taken out of the lineup to make room for a young Carlos Quentin. The main issue Luis had was the fact that he has not been slumping (too bad anyways), but the dbacks brass wanted to get Carlos Quentin more playing time to see if he was in fact the real deal...
So look for Carlos Quentin to fill the gap...
The reason that Gonzo is no longer a dback is because he was unwilling to accept the fact that he no longer is an everyday Left Fielder and was unwilling to take less than the 10 million dollar option the club had on him. The Diamondbacks farm system has a large amount of outfield talent. Two of those outfielders, Chris Young (CF) and Carlos Quentin (RF), were ready to step in and play in the bigs last year and Scott Hairston has become a very viable option in the outfield. Couple that with that fact that the Josh Byrnes is high on Eric Byrnes, no relation, the Dbacks decided there was no longer room for aging outfielders such as Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez. I for one think it is a great move and one that will lead to a bright future on the field and financially for the diamondbacks.
The reason that Gonzo is no longer a dback is because he was unwilling to accept the fact that he no longer is an everyday Left Fielder and was unwilling to take less than the 10 million dollar option the club had on him. The Diamondbacks farm system has a large amount of outfield talent. Two of those outfielders, Chris Young (CF) and Carlos Quentin (RF), were ready to step in and play in the bigs last year and Scott Hairston has become a very viable option in the outfield. Couple that with that fact that the Josh Byrnes is high on Eric Byrnes, no relation, the Dbacks decided there was no longer room for aging outfielders such as Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez. I for one think it is a great move and one that will lead to a bright future on the field and financially for the diamondbacks.
There is no doubt that their young stars are "almost ready". The Gonzalez issue is something like last years Frank Thomas issue. The team has better options and are willing to try them. Also, with Gonzo aging, it is no longer much of a risk. Quentin is or will be the real deal, but my only problem is the way in the media it was handled. But I often have to remind myself this is a business, no longer a game.
:) Now Gonzo goes on to win come back player of the year in 2007.
Could he play DH for an AL team?
There is no doubt that their young stars are "almost ready". The Gonzalez issue is something like last years Frank Thomas issue. The team has better options and are willing to try them. Also, with Gonzo aging, it is no longer much of a risk. Quentin is or will be the real deal, but my only problem is the way in the media it was handled. But I often have to remind myself this is a business, no longer a game.
:) Now Gonzo goes on to win come back player of the year in 2007.
Could he play DH for an AL team?
I've had the opportunity to watch every home game for the Dbacks triple-a affiliate for the past two years and these young outfielders are the real deal. The media handled itself fairly well with the departure of Gonzo and the organization even had a farewell for Gonzo and Craig Counsell. The only thing that I think was poorly handled was when Ken Kendrick made a comment through the media that Gonzo may have used steroids. I think Josh Byrnes is trying to put his mark on this team and that has as much to do with this move as anything. The team is going for a new look and new feel. They want to usher in a new era of diamondbacks baseball and gonzo just wasn't a part of it. I think Gonzo can go play DH but his big issue here was thinking he is still an allstar caliber outfielder and he just isn't. He can't throw from left so teams ran wild on him and his bat has slowed from where it was. He is at best a 4th outfielder.
ahh yea I totally forgot about the roids comment... what a bonehead...
The end of the season was not what I was thinking, as you said it was "warm" as I remember the other players even had a nice prank for gonzo.. which included a for rent sign on his parking spot.. (priceless)
But I remember the talk about when Gonzo was upset about not being in the lineup (sometime mid season) and Carlos was in his spot.
Nature of the beast no doubt...
will the 2007 dbacks be ready to content in 07?
What pitching prospects do they have on the way up?
What other off season gaps need to be filled?
ahh yea I totally forgot about the roids comment... what a bonehead...
The end of the season was not what I was thinking, as you said it was "warm" as I remember the other players even had a nice prank for gonzo.. which included a for rent sign on his parking spot.. (priceless)
But I remember the talk about when Gonzo was upset about not being in the lineup (sometime mid season) and Carlos was in his spot.
Nature of the beast no doubt...
will the 2007 dbacks be ready to content in 07?
What pitching prospects do they have on the way up?
What other off season gaps need to be filled?
I think they will contend for the NL West. A World Championship in a few years. Pitching wise they have Dustin Nippert who has a great slider, Michah Owings who is just a gutsy pitcher and Enrique Gonzalez who saw a lot of time in the bigs. They will have to address pitching in the offseason. Mulder is someone they are supposidly interested in. I also think they need to add a big bat ala Carlos Lee or someone like that through a trade. They lacked power and a big bat in the middle of the lineup last year and think it will plague them in '07 if not addressed.
ohboy
11-07-2006, 08:27 PM
great guy, will be missed.
TheKingofKings
12-08-2006, 03:21 PM
On Thursday, the Dodgers added LF Luis Gonzalez to their Outfield. Gonzalez, is expected to play in LF for the Dodgers in 2007 with Andre Ethier moving to RF. Gonzalez was a sure no-show for the D-Backs in 2007 with Young Oufielders emerging and the Club going into a different direction with it's new style.
Dogdaze
12-15-2006, 05:35 PM
great guy, will be missed.
I agree, I'll miss him. :(
Ceannsaich
01-20-2007, 07:32 PM
I will be interested in seeing a RJ vs Gonzo showdown next season. If Little has the balls to put Gonzo in agaisnt him lol.
...yeah maybe im over estimating waht RJ has left
KCFAN11
01-21-2007, 03:34 PM
On Thursday, the Dodgers added LF Luis Gonzalez to their Outfield. Gonzalez, is expected to play in LF for the Dodgers in 2007 with Andre Ethier moving to RF. Gonzalez was a sure no-show for the D-Backs in 2007 with Young Oufielders emerging and the Club going into a different direction with it's new style.
How well he does this season will determine how long he stays in the league.