The Colorado Rockies shocked the MLB and traded star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Trade rumors indicate fellow veteran Carlos Gonzalez could be the next to go and we're going to take a look at the top three landing spots for the outfielder.
Gonzalez is in the same boat as Tulowitzki - when he's on the field, he's just as productive as anyone in the league. Although injuries have severely hampered his ability to maximize his production over the last few seasons, the 29-year-old has rebounded in 2015 after a slow start.
He's batting .278/.332/.520 with 49 runs scored, 20 home runs and 51 home runs in 90 games.
Most of that production has come in the past couple of months, during which he's hitting .335 with 29 runs scored, 16 home runs and 38 RBIs. His trade value is at an all-time high with the deadline just three days away.
"They expect to move him," one GM with an interested team told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports today.
"The Rockies have to explore moving Carlos Gonzalez now, and I would think they'd try to shop Reyes because they can put prospect Trevor Story, just promoted to Triple-A, at shortstop either now or to start 2016, with their top prospect, shortstop Brendan Rodgers, probably two to three years away," ESPN Insider Keith Law writes.
However, they could run into obstacles, both internally and externally.
"It's possible they'll trade Carlos Gonzalez also," ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said earlier today. "But to trade him and Tulowitzki is going to be a tricky proposition."
Kurkjian likely says this for two reasons: (1) they will be getting rid of another veteran and productive player that is probably an instrumental figure in the locker room and (2) he's owed $43 million through the 2017 season, which isn't a bargain considering injuries have kept him from playing over 135 games in a single year since 2011 (he played in only 180 games in 2013 and 2014 combined).
However, teams throughout the MLB are starved for power-hitting outfielders and Gonzalez is one of them when he's healthy. Let's break down where the veteran could land before Friday afternoon.
Chicago Cubs/San Francisco Giants
I guess make that the "Top Four" destinations for Gonzalez because I feel the Cubs and Giants are in a similar boat. Both are pursuing starting pitching first and foremost before the deadline and both have the money (and likely the prospects) to acquire Gonzalez in a deal. They were also both interested in Oakland Athletics utility man Ben Zobrist - who would more than likely help them in the outfield - before he was dealt to the Royals today.
Chicago has a clear vacancy in left field and lacks power in their lineup. They rank 16th in home runs (87) and 23rd in RBIs (359) and their recent skid has put them 2.5 games behind the Giants for the second wild-card spot. However, they could eventually move Kyle Schwarber to the outfield and save themselves the hassle of making a big acquisition.
Similarly, the Giants are 20th in home runs (82). They rank seventh in RBIs (406), but only 116 of those have come from their outfield combo of Aoki, Pagan, Hunter Pence, Gregor Blanco and Justin Maxwell, which Brian Sabean might view as a bit of a problem (even though the outfield has dealt with many injuries). Obviously Pence will produce much more (he has only played in 33 games), but the Giants might want some reinforcement out there, as they may have already indicated by expressing interest in Carlos Gomez.
But, like Chicago, the Giants may not have a reason to make a deal if they're confident Aoki and Pence will stay healthy for the rest of the way and Pagan (.266/.301/.319) will improve his stat line. These two teams are the dark horse candidates to land Gonzalez.
Baltimore Orioles
Unless the Orioles decide to become sellers in the next couple of days, Gonzalez could be on their radar. They're said to be pursuing Justin Upton, but he comes with a high price tag as a two-month rental and the O's wouldn't be able to re-sign him in the offseason anyway. They've also expressed interest in Carlos Gomez and Jay Bruce.
Baltimore has a ton of money coming off the books next season when various players hit free agency and maybe they can get the Rockies to pay for some of his contract if they really don't feel comfortable with the $20 million he's owed in 2017. The bottom line is the Orioles need a capable bat in the outfield as they sit three games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second wild-card spot.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels acquired Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox yesterday, but their quest for a left-handed outfield bat is not over, according to Heyman. They've also been linked to Bruce and Gomez as well as Gerardo Parra, David Murphy and Ben Revere (all of whom are cheaper options), but they can afford Gonzalez and he arguably as the most pop out of any of the previous options. (We also talked about such an acquisition much earlier this season.)
And wouldn't an outfield of Gonzalez, Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun be one of the best offensive and defensive units in the MLB?
They're currently trying to pull away from the Houston Astros, and adding a hot bat such as Gonzalez could help them do that.
