Gonzo, D-Backs to talk about future

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Gonzo, D-Backs to talk about future Star outfielder says 1st choice is to stay

Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 14, 2006 12:00 AM Luis Gonzalez and the Diamondbacks will use today's off day to open discussions about the left fielder's future with the organization when the sides meet this morning for the first time to address a delicate situation that has been simmering for several months.

Gonzalez will be in attendance, along with representatives Gregg Clifton and Terry Bross. They will be meeting with Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes and were under the impression that team owners Ken Kendrick and Jeff Moorad also would be in attendance.

Byrnes, however, said Kendrick isn't expected to be at the meeting, and he wasn't sure if Moorad, Gonzalez's former agent, would be there, either.

"It's important that we sit down and see where everybody is at," Byrnes said. "We might already know what their position is - and we might not - but we'll get together and have a meeting of the minds and talk about things."

Today is expected to mark the first time the Diamondbacks officially inform Gonzalez, 39, they are not planning to exercise their $10 million club option on him for next season. Byrnes isn't likely to let Gonzalez twist in the wind, however.

Because of Gonzalez's successful eight-year tenure and his second-half surge since the All-Star break, it is believed the team will consider bringing him back for another season, possibly two, but only for a much more affordable price than the $11.5 million he is making now.

That could be anywhere from $3 million to $5 million.

"I'm just kind of open-minded right now. I want to see what their thought process is and then go from there," Gonzalez said before Wednesday's game. "I would like to think something is going to come out of this, but realistically, I don't know.

"I'm in one of those wait-and-see modes. I don't want to get my hopes up too high because I've been around this game long enough to know that anything can happen. I can tell you what I want to happen. I want to stay here. That's my first choice."

Gonzalez, who on Tuesday became the oldest player in major league history to reach the 50 doubles plateau, can become a free agent when Arizona declines to pick up his option. It isn't sure what kind of interest he would generate on the open market, but his 71 RBIs are tied with Chad Tracy for the team lead.

Earlier this season, he became just the 21st player to have accumulated at least 300 home runs and 500 doubles. He is 20th on the all-time doubles list.

A native of Tampa, Gonzalez has indicated an interest in possibly finishing his career with the Devil Rays. But he reiterated Wednesday his preference is to stay and play in Phoenix.

But what if the Diamondbacks only offer a one-year deal and he insists on a minimum of two?

"All my options are open right now," Gonzalez said. "I'm more than willing to wait and listen to what they have to say. I'm not going to shut the door on any opportunities."

Is he bracing for the possibility the Diamondbacks will offer him nothing and tell him today they don't intend to bring him back?

"I don't know," he said. "I really don't know."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0914dbnb0914.html

With or without Gonzo next year, the team still desperately needs a legit, middle of the order threat.

 

[AZZenny]

Noooooooooo!

 

[asudevil83]

Gonzo can come back under 2 conditions:

1.) he realizes that he's no longer THE left fielder and everyday starter.
2.) his resigning has absolutely no impact on our free agent pursuit this offseason.

 

[Ryanwb]

Gonzo can play "left out"

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm sure Gonzo's second half surge has nothing to do with it being a contract year. Just like Tony Clark's 2005 was sign of things to come and not a contract fluke.

Even with his second half Gonzo is in the lower half of MLB leftfielder's in OPS despite playing half his games in BOB. Thanks for the memories Gonzo, but I think it's in both parties best interests to go their seperate ways.

 

[DeAnna]

Gonzo can play "left out"

Noooooooooo!

 

[devilfan02]

Noooooooooo!

Let him walk, sign Carlos Lee

 

[AZCB34]

Assuming Gonzo is gone ( i am not sure I think he is but will be back at a seriously reduced price), how does the OF set up for next year as the Dbacks stand right now?

Don't say sign Carlos Lee becuase I think that is a pipe dream given what Lee will probably command on the open market. What I want to know is how would things play out given what the Dbacks have in their organization right now.

 

[AZCB34]

Noooooooooo!

View this objectively and not Favre-ish. The Packers have been held hostage by Brett Favre and it has finally really started to kill that team/organization. The fans, for the longest time, empowered Brett to basically rule the franchise.

Gonzo, despite what he has meant to the team, is on the downside of his career...his late season desperation surge not withstanding. I do not think Gonzo as an everyday player is good for the Dbacks so if he is not to be an everyday player, he should not even be here. We don't need the ghost of Gonzo's past haunting a young team next year

 

[devilfan02]

Assuming Gonzo is gone ( i am not sure I think he is but will be back at a seriously reduced price), how does the OF set up for next year as the Dbacks stand right now?

Don't say sign Carlos Lee becuase I think that is a pipe dream given what Lee will probably command on the open market. What I want to know is how would things play out given what the Dbacks have in their organization right now.

We're going to be one of the biggest spenders this offseason, why not pursue Lee. If it gets crazy, back off. We need an ace and a bat, neither will be cheap. We have lots of prospects with potential but I don't see any with bats that produce 40-50 HR's and 100+ RBI's in the next 2-3 seasons (like Soriano or Lee). Go after Soriano and Lee, you never know what can happen. To not go after those guys based on assumption is stupid

 

[abomb]

Gonzalez, D-Backs part ways

Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 14, 2006


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Luis Gonzalez will not return to the Diamondbacks next season and will become a free agent, The Republic has learned.

Gonzalez, 39, met for 90 minutes over breakfast Thursday morning at a Scottsdale resort, at which time he was informed the team has no plans to bring him back for a ninth season in 2007.

He will be in uniform tonight when the Diamondbacks meet the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field, and most likely will meet with reporters beforehand to discuss his future and his eight seasons in Arizona.

 

[devilfan02]

Per Gambo and Ash-

Gonzo met with Josh Byrnes and Jeff Moorad at the Scottsdale Princess this morning to discuss his future with the Dbacks. Sources said that Byrnes and Moorad told Gonzo that they have no intent to bring him back and will not pick up or renogotiate his 2007 team option. Gonzo now has only 7 home games left in a Dbacks jersey.

While I agree 100% with this move it will still be tough to see Gonzo go. This is purley business and I wish him the best of luck in his last couple years as MLB player. I grew up watching Gonzo (Dbacks opening season was my freshman year of high school) and in my eyes, to this day, he is the biggest sports figure in this city. I say this because he was key in bringing PHX its first championship. This is also different because this is the only player to truly "retire as Dback" even though he's not necessarily retiring. Curt and Randy both wanted out and therefore didn't end like Gonzo's tenure here should.

While nearly everyone here agrees that this is the right move, I would hope that most would try to get down to Chase to wish Gonzo goodbye. 7 games and counting, thanks for the memories Gonzo!

 

[Ryanwb]

I like Gonzo, he had a great run here.... I'll leave it at that. He has a good 1-2 seasons left as a DH somewhere in this league

 

[devilfan02]

I like Gonzo, he had a great run here.... I'll leave it at that. He has a good 1-2 seasons left as a DH somewhere in this league

He'll end up in Tampa. That would be the most logical place

 

[AZCB34]

We're going to be one of the biggest spenders this offseason, why not pursue Lee. If it gets crazy, back off. We need an ace and a bat, neither will be cheap. We have lots of prospects with potential but I don't see any with bats that produce 40-50 HR's and 100+ RBI's in the next 2-3 seasons (like Soriano or Lee). Go after Soriano and Lee, you never know what can happen. To not go after those guys based on assumption is stupid

I never said to not pursue Lee. I just don't think, when all is said and done, it is a pipe dream to think they will get him signed. The fact we will be big spenders as you suggest doesn't automatically put the Dbacks in the catbird seat to snag Lee.

What I was saying is, who takes over for Gonzo assuming nobody is signed specifically to take LF because I believe the odds would be against Lee signing here?

 

[devilfan02]

I never said to not pursue Lee. I just don't think, when all is said and done, it is a pipe dream to think they will get him signed. The fact we will be big spenders as you suggest doesn't automatically put the Dbacks in the catbird seat to snag Lee.

What I was saying is, who takes over for Gonzo assuming nobody is signed specifically to take LF because I believe the odds would be against Lee signing here?

We have nearly $30 million to spend this offseason which gives us a damn good shot.

Byrnes, assuming we resign him, would prob be our everyday LF'er. He played LF in Oakland so it would be an easy transition. Young would play CF and Q would be in RF. DaVannon, if brought back, would be our 4th OF'er. We are supposedly going to bring in a power bat which could affect our OF lineup. I obviously want to bring in a guy like Soriano or Lee which would effect such a lineup. We'll see....

 

[AZCB34]

We have nearly $30 million to spend this offseason which gives us a damn good shot.

Byrnes, assuming we resign him, would prob be our everyday LF'er. He played LF in Oakland so it would be an easy transition. Young would play CF and Q would be in RF. DaVannon, if brought back, would be our 4th OF'er. We are supposedly going to bring in a power bat which could affect our OF lineup. I obviously want to bring in a guy like Soriano or Lee which would effect such a lineup. We'll see....

Wouldn't you have to sign Byrnes to a multi-year deal to keep him though? And if so, do we want him signed longer term since I think he would demand a multi-year deal (2-3 years)?

We need a power bat badly...in addition to some better starting pitching.

 

[devilfan02]

Wouldn't you have to sign Byrnes to a multi-year deal to keep him though? And if so, do we want him signed longer term since I think he would demand a multi-year deal (2-3 years)?

We need a power bat badly...in addition to some better starting pitching.

Yes, we will have to sign him to multi year deal but he is worth it. His energy and attitude alone are needed for these young guys. To not bring him back would be a crime.

Yes, we do need a power bat. We can't just sign any power bat as we have lots of prospects coming up at several different positions. I would hope we sign either a power hitting 3B or LF. The 3B market is crap and there are very few OF that are appealing. Lee and Soriano are the only players who fit the "power" mold. Word is the Dbacks have no interest in Lee so I'm hoping they might chase Soriano. We had interest in Soriano (brought him in for a workout) in the past but that may have changed considering we have a whole new front office.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I think Byrnes is still arbitration-eligible so we may still have his rights. I'd like to se him as part of a larger trade package (perhaps with some pitching prospect) that gets us back some ML pitching or a big bat.

 

[AZZenny]

Luis Gonzalez will not return to the Diamondbacks next season and will become a free agent, The Republic has learned.

Gonzalez, 39, met for 90 minutes over breakfast Thursday morning at a Scottsdale resort, at which time he was informed the team has no plans to bring him back for a ninth season in 2007.

He will be in uniform tonight when the Diamondbacks meet the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field, and most likely will meet with reporters beforehand to discuss his future and his eight seasons in Arizona.

HOORRAAAYYYY FOR JOSH BYRNES!!

I think it's more important to keep O-Dogg than Eric Byrnes, although if he's financially reasonable, I wouldn't mind keeping Byrnes -- we can use all the energy we can buy to counteract the Manager. But as for spending all that money -- guys, we really really really really need pitching. Really.

 

[Phill11]

HOORRAAAYYYY FOR JOSH BYRNES!!

I think it's more important to keep O-Dogg than Eric Byrnes, although if he's financially reasonable, I wouldn't mind keeping Byrnes -- we can use all the energy we can buy to counteract the Manager. But as for spending all that money -- guys, we really really really really need pitching. Really.

Exactly. An Outfield of Eric Byrnes, Carlos Quentin and Chris Young will be stellar.

We need to put our money into getting Barry Zito and another top notch pitcher. (Schmidt? Even though it sounds like he's going to SEA)

What an amazing rotation:
Zito
Webb
Schmidt
Batista
Nippert

Just the thought of that.... Pipedream, I know.

 

[Phxchris1989]

We need a power bat badly...in addition to some better starting pitching.

Going after Soriano would be great, I think he would be a great boost offensivly. I think he and Byrnes would make great outfielders.

 

[hafey]

I will stay it again. Zito is a bad bad idea. Horrible.

 

[Espo]

He'll end up in Tampa. That would be the most logical place

I completely agree with you on this. Tampa is changing name and uniforms and he can be the face of the organization in his hometown. I think they will grossly over pay for him in order to land him and market around him. It might bring in some interested to their team. They are desperate and he will be the focus of attention like he wants.
As for Zito he is a bad idea and he is going to New York. He isn't coming to az. I think the former A's pitcher we should go after is Mulder because he will come on the cheap. Low risk high reward signing.

 

[Lefty]

Zito will either be a Yankee or Met next year.