In lieu of putting his resume on monster.com...
Luis Gonzalez instead spoke to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick about his desire to play in 2008. Presumably with another club, since I'm likely a safer bet to wear Dodger blue next season.
It'll be interesting to see how this quest shakes out for Gonzalez, assuming there's a "shake" in development. Which teams can use Gonzalez? And more importantly, what role will make him happy? If you believe Gonzalez, the notion that he MUST play every day is false. Agent Gregg Clifton says his client is "just looking for an opportunity to play on a regular basis -- whatever that is -- and get back to the World Series again." Should being a fourth outfielder wind up part of a championship route, no worries. However, if you believe Gonzalez's body language and obvious displeasure down the 2007 stretch while being merely a part-time fourth outfielder, it's harder to picture the guy remaining happy after two or three series without a start. Between his rep's mixed message (the difference between playing on a "regular basis" and "every day" may be semantical at best) and Gonzo's insistence that the tank is hardly running on fumes, if I had to guess whether a role like last August and September's would make him happy or not, I'm leaning towards "not." Obviously, a different scenario might change his opinion of that job description, but were I a GM, unless certain I could offer Gonzo an inked spot in left (assuming he's the guy I want there), I wouldn't take a flyer.
In any event, whatever Gonzalez's future holds, I hope he rolls with it in graceful fashion. It was at times a little disconcerting for me to see one of sports' more personable dudes, with a renowned clubhouse rep to boot, sometimes coming off as an athlete who can't accept being past his prime. I definitely don't think Gonzo became a "cancer" during his final Dodger days, but he occasionally projected a "sour-grapey" vibe when it came to his PT. Yeah, every player absolutely should want to be on the field, but a perspective that matches said yearning is also a must. And while it's hard to say Gonzalez flat out hurt the team, it's equally difficult to contend that him sitting in favor of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier was an outlandish formula for winning. Were anybody put off by Gonzo's bristling at that particular approach, I'd be stuck for a counter-point. Whether Gonzo gets a gig next season isn't a question of him being better off hanging up the cleats. He's clearly still able to play, produce and help. But play, produce and help a team in his first choice fashion? That's debatable.
On a personal level, I've always been a fan of Gonzalez (frankly, he could have been a marginally talented prima donna and I'd still love him for that Game 7 Yankee-beating hit), so I'd hate to see an outstanding career- on and off the field- gather some tarnish in its twilight. If Gonzalez can't find the situation he wants, I hope he opts to call it a day. Again, it's not a question of him being, as Chris Rock famously put it, "a little too old to be in the club." But he could be the guy in the club who doesn't look like he's having fun, which would be a crummy way to for Gonzo to go out.
-AK
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I'm a Gonzo fan, too, but I think he needs to hang it up now before he turns into Steve Finley, bouncing from club to club and begging teams to give him and his .180 average just one more chance. I understand the competitive drive these guys have to want to get back out on the field, but there comes a time when they all need to face reality and exit gracefully -- not desperately.
Posted by: Eric B. | January 08, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Can he play second base?
Posted by: benzo jones | January 08, 2008 at 02:16 PM
I couldn't agree more with Eric B. Everything I've ever heard about Gonzo is that he's a decent guy. He's a guy that's been around a long time and has known some true bright spots - more than many players ever do. He's also been around long enough to have seen others hang on too long and be perceived as desperate. He certainly knows younger players "emerge" at times and displace the older( and sometimes perceived to be better) players. That's what happened last year and he did not display a veteran's grace in dealing with it. Wasn't he paying attention all those earlier years?
Look, another team MAY have a place for him eventually this season and Godspeed to him if someone calls. But he knows he will not be among the three best, most reliable outfielders on any major league club anymore. Hopefully, he isn't pursuing this for the money. I hope he's been more prudent than to need money at this point in his career.
I am beginning to be concerned in the same way about Nomar. He had one good season (so far) with the Blue and I love him for it. He provided us loyal Dodgers fan with true thrills, no question. For me? He's got more "Blue" blood in him than Jeff Kent EVER will despite Kent's having put up better numbers with us and for longer. I'd love to see Nomar hang around and be a platooner, a clutch hitter, and eventually a solid utility player around the infield for us. I hope he can be a true clubhouse inspiration and mentor to the younger guys for a couple years. Go out on a high note as a Dodger. I just fear he won't.
Posted by: Dan in Pasadena | January 08, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Hey, what do you all think about this Nomar to Texas rumor? No chance, right?
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/08/rangers-rumors-guardado-colon-jennings-nomar/
Posted by: ed | January 08, 2008 at 08:26 PM