Gonzo signs with the Dodgers

[Diamondback Jay]

According to the Dodgers website, LA has come to an agreement on a one-year deal worth $7 million.

The deal is pending a physical examination. The Dodgers beat out the Orioles and Cardinals for the veteran's services.

Gonzo had constantly made it a point to state he wanted to sign with a NL West team so he could prove to the Diamondbacks that releasing him was a mistake.

Source

 

[green machine]

Good news. Tell our guys to hit it to left field now, especially if there is a runner on third and less then two outs.

 

[HooverDam]

I just don't understand that for the Dodgers, or for Gonzo. Gonzo thinks he is an everyday outfielder (obviously not the case), and Im sure the Dodgers know that. Did the Dodgers tell him he is going to start? If not, did he decide "Ok, Im not a starter, but at least I can stick it the Dbacks a lot." The whole thing gives me a headache. If he had any brains at all, he should've found an AL team that he thought was a serious contender, and signed up to be their DH. He can still hit (especially for doubles), and would have a shot at another ring. Now he has zero shot at a ring (and only an average shot at the playoffs), and he'll probably just be pinch hitting.

 

[BC867]

I believe Gonzo will be the Dodgers everyday left fielder and do a pretty good job.

I also believe that his jabs at the D'backs are tongue-in-cheek. After the job Kendricks did on him, I don't blame him at all.

Even though he'll be in our division, Gonzo is a class act and I wish him the best.

He wanted to be not too far from his home in Phoenix, where he still does alot of charity work. Who knows, maybe after he retires he'll be back as has Matt Williams.

So, lighten up everyone. Gonzo's a good guy.

 

[AzKarl]

Gonzo is a good guy but this must be about a paycheck

Look, I loved Gonzo here in Phoenix and will always as a fan be grateful for his contributions to the community and to our team. This signing is just a symptom of what is wrong about the escalating and stupid salaries being paid to players who are well past their prime. I ask you is Gonzo worth the money the Dodgers are going to be paying him? He hit 15 freaking homeruns last year and now with diminished bat speed has warning track or less power. We all know what he does fielding wise and that does not strike fear in me as an opponent.

I can't fault players like Gonzo who know how stupid these owners are who are willing to pay millions for quite frankly average to mediocre performances. If I were Gonzo why wouldn't I continue to want to collect huge paychecks. The excuse that Gonzo wants 3,000 hits is so ludicrous I had to pick myself off the floor from laughing so hard. Right, 39 year old Gonzo is going to collect 600 hits in the next 2 to 3 years to get to 3,000. Maybe if they start a geriatric league.

 

[Phxchris1989]

Good news. Tell our guys to hit it to left field now, especially if there is a runner on third and less then two outs.

But it does suck that the face of our team goes to LA, I hate the Dodgers.

 

[devilfan02]

I just don't understand that for the Dodgers, or for Gonzo. Gonzo thinks he is an everyday outfielder (obviously not the case), and Im sure the Dodgers know that. Did the Dodgers tell him he is going to start? If not, did he decide "Ok, Im not a starter, but at least I can stick it the Dbacks a lot." The whole thing gives me a headache. If he had any brains at all, he should've found an AL team that he thought was a serious contender, and signed up to be their DH. He can still hit (especially for doubles), and would have a shot at another ring. Now he has zero shot at a ring (and only an average shot at the playoffs), and he'll probably just be pinch hitting.

Couldn't disagree more. Gonzo, unless he has a total offensive meltdown, will be the Dodgers starting everyday LF. He is a liability defensively but he's still valuable enough to play him everyday. Your telling me the Dodgers should start Matt Kemp or Jayson Werth over Gonzo? No way. The only interest he got from an AL team was Baltimore and I don't blame him one bit from staying away from there.

Dodger Stadium has a very spacious outfield that fits into his offensive gameplan perfectly. He is not a HR hitter anymore and Dodger Stadium is not a HR hitters ballpark. If he did what he did last year, he will have success.

How can you say he has zero shot at a ring and/or a average chance at the playoffs? They made the playoffs last year and have upgraded their team big time this offseason. Their starting rotation is Schmidt, Lowe, Penny, Wolf, Billingsley- damn good if your asking me. They added Pierre, who has the most hits this decade, a good backup catcher in Lieberthal, and brought back Nomar. IMO, their the favorite in the NL West and if their pitching staff stays healthy are a very dangerous post season threat.

And I highly doubt Gonzo signed simply for the money. He made plenty of money in AZ and had very similar offers on the table from St. Louis and Baltimore. For all we know, he may have turned down money to sign with the Dodgers. I truly believe that he wants to stay in the NL West to play us as much as possible. He loved it here, wasn't wanted anymore, and after Kendrick ran his mouth I don't blame Gonzo at all for staying in the NL West. He didn't have a spot here anymore, and for good reason, but what Kendrick said would light a fire under anyones ass

 

[Stallion]

That stinks. I was hoping he'd go to the AL so we could root for him from afar. Now we have to root against him all year. So...

Good news. Tell our guys to hit it to left field now, especially if there is a runner on third and less then two outs.

Yeah, that.

 

[Mulli]

And now we can see him fail to knock the guy on third with one out.

 

[Espo]

April 16th at Chase bring your Gonzo Is a Trader signs. I can't wait to see Chris Young hit one to left and take the extra base off of him. I wasn't a huge Gonzo fan and now that he is a Dodger I can actually vocalize it.

 

[Mulli]

April 16th at Chase bring your Gonzo Is a Trader signs. I can't wait to see Chris Young hit one to left and take the extra base off of him. I wasn't a huge Gonzo fan and now that he is a Dodger I can actually vocalize it.

Is Chris Young going to play for the Dbacks this year? That would be great.

 

[Espo]

Is Chris Young going to play for the Dbacks this year? That would be great.

He's suppose to be the starting Center Fielder this year. I watched him play and he is the real deal in the field and on the base paths. If he can master left handed pitching and the breaking ball he will be a complete player at the major league level.

 

[Mulli]

He's suppose to be the starting Center Fielder this year. I watched him play and he is the real deal in the field and on the base paths. If he can master left handed pitching and the breaking ball he will be a complete player at the major league level.

 

[devilfan02]

Gonzo will be on Gambo and Ash (910AM) at 2:05pm today to talk about the Dodger signing. Worth tuning into to see if he continues to run his mouth. If your not in the valley, you can listen online at xtra910.com

 

[devilfan02]

Gonzo said:

Was in the room with his agent and members of the Orioles about to sign a 1 year, $7 million contract with the O's when Tommy LaSorda called. He called with a new offer (LA originally offered him $3.5-4 for 1 year) of 1 year, $7.3 million and also reiterated the Dodgers interest in Gonzo. Gonzo immediately left the O's high and dry and signed with the Dodgers.

Also said that this Dodger team reminds him a lot of the '99 Dback offseason when they had a lot of good young players and they signed a bunch of established vets which pushed them over the top.

Said he wishes he was still in AZ, won't wear #20 in LA (it's retired)

 

[Espo]

Gonzo said:

Was in the room with his agent and members of the Orioles about to sign a 1 year, $7 million contract with the O's when Tommy LaSorda called. He called with a new offer (LA originally offered him $3.5-4 for 1 year) of 1 year, $7.3 million and also reiterated the Dodgers interest in Gonzo. Gonzo immediately left the O's high and dry and signed with the Dodgers.

Also said that this Dodger team reminds him a lot of the '99 Dback offseason when they had a lot of good young players and they signed a bunch of established vets which pushed them over the top.

Said he wishes he was still in AZ, won't wear #20 in LA (it's retired)

Good so the Dodgers will get a lot of hype win some games and fall flat on their faces in the first round of the playoffs. Sounds good to me. Good luck Gonzo. Your lack of defense will be sorely missed in LF this year for the Dbacks.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Good so the Dodgers will get a lot of hype win some games and fall flat on their faces in the first round of the playoffs. Sounds good to me. Good luck Gonzo. Your lack of defense will be sorely missed in LF this year for the Dbacks.

I wish no ill will towards Gonzo, however the fact that he stated he wanted to go to a team in the NL so he could "prove the Diamondbacks wrong" is a tad bit laughable to me.

 

[devilfan02]

I wish no ill will towards Gonzo, however the fact that he stated he wanted to go to a team in the NL so he could "prove the Diamondbacks wrong" is a tad bit laughable to me.

I'm on the same page. I don't blame the Dodgers for signing him to that deal (in fact, I think he's a better FA pickup then Barry Bonds would be) but I just wish he wouldn't be so vocal about it. I guess I can't really blame him but I wonder how it's gonna be next season. With 19 games, you'd have to assume there will be some pretty good exchanges

 

[Phxchris1989]

Gonzo said:

Was in the room with his agent and members of the Orioles about to sign a 1 year, $7 million contract with the O's when Tommy LaSorda called. He called with a new offer (LA originally offered him $3.5-4 for 1 year) of 1 year, $7.3 million and also reiterated the Dodgers interest in Gonzo. Gonzo immediately left the O's high and dry and signed with the Dodgers.

Also said that this Dodger team reminds him a lot of the '99 Dback offseason when they had a lot of good young players and they signed a bunch of established vets which pushed them over the top.

Said he wishes he was still in AZ, won't wear #20 in LA (it's retired)

Damn you LoSorda, my sorta other favortie team (relax, Diamondbacks are first) is the Orioles.

 

[spikecop02]

This just shows that gonzo is all about the money

 

[BC867]

Gonzo's climb higher and higher up the all-time 2-base-hit list will bring publicity to the Dodgers (as well as the NL West), especially (as was pointed out) in spaceous Dodger Stadium.

They still call it Dodger Stadium, don't they? Rather than a new corporate name every time you sneeze. Good for them. Pure baseball instead of ******* out the name.

 

[devilfan02]

It's still Dodger Stadium and is a dump. Went to a game this past summer and it was a pain in the ass.

Dodger Stadium is perfect for Gonzo. He's no longer a true HR threat but he can still spray the ball to all fields. Dodger Stadium is ideal for his offense

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

They still call it Dodger Stadium, don't they? Rather than a new corporate name every time you sneeze. Good for them. Pure baseball instead of ******* out the name.

Give McCourt some time, he's ****** everything else out for money.

Keep getting older NL West and wasting more cash onn geriatrics. Josh Byrnes must be licking his chops.

 

[devilfan02]

Give McCourt some time, he's ****** everything else out for money.

Keep getting older NL West and wasting more cash NL West. Josh Byrnes must be licking his chops.

He's trying to sell the land around Dodger Stadium (Chavez Ravine) to developers who are going to make houses and condos. He might not change the name but he'll damn sure ***** everything else out. Not sure what developer would want to build there- it's very hill, is in the middle of east LA , and traffic will be a nightmare.

 

[Stan C]

I have to agree with Devilfan02, the dodgers pitching, with some pop in the bats are a scary team. I think they are overspending, as an amatuer fan, but on paper they look like the best in our division. If their pitching holds up they could go a long way into the playoffs.
I hate the guys, and their fans even more, but I think Gonzo went with the best team he could. The orioles a threat, in that division?
NOT