How bout this...GONZO appreciation thread.

[ORS]

Curt's contract was restructured in the offseason as part of the trade conditions.

[RoyNHSox]

The Sox FO philosophy is usually to have players play out their contract. In the cases where the player does get the extension it’s almost always been for a $ amount that would be considered a hometown discount.

 

In Gonzo’s case it probably would be more advantageous for him to wait it out. Unless he gets injured it’s not like his value is dropping.

[ORS]

However, maybe the open market isn't the most important thing to him. AGon strikes me as the type of guy that feeds off the crowd a little. Perhaps playing in a packed house is appealing to him?

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I think you guys are going a little crazy over Gonzo's offense...I'll be the first one to admit he's been phenomenal, but I don't see any way of him keeping up anywhere close to this for the whole year. I'm in favor of giving him an extension soley because of his defense...but are all you guys going to be still in favor of it come late September when he's back hitting in the .240's? I'd love to eat my words if he keeps this up, I'm just not convinced yet.

[ORS]

I'm well aware of his career averages. I'm also aware that Papa Jack is proving to be one the better hitting coaches in the game. I don't expect him to hit like he has the last month. However, he won't hit like he did in April either. He'll probably be mix of the two, which is what his numbers are now. With his glove, that is more than enough, IMO.

[Cocos Disciples]

Gonzalez is not going to hit .300, but he is not going to hit .240 like earlier. He is a more than servicable shortstop who can go .270, 10+ homers, and excellent defense. Why not hold on to him for longer?

[RoyNHSox]

However, maybe the open market isn't the most important thing to him. AGon strikes me as the type of guy that feeds off the crowd a little. Perhaps playing in a packed house is appealing to him?

 

Good point. I’m wondering if playing all of his time in Pro Player Stadium until this year had some effect on his career batting avg. Maybe it’s the ballpark, I don’t know, but it’s becoming apparent that he is flourishing in the AL.

[riverside sluggers]

I think you guys are going a little crazy over Gonzo's offense...I'll be the first one to admit he's been phenomenal, but I don't see any way of him keeping up anywhere close to this for the whole year. I'm in favor of giving him an extension soley because of his defense...but are all you guys going to be still in favor of it come late September when he's back hitting in the .240's? I'd love to eat my words if he keeps this up, I'm just not convinced yet.

 

I was thinking this way even when he was getting his average up to 220 at that point. Defense is key, any hitting is just icing on the cake. Sure take Julio Lugo who will hit 300 while committing 20+ errors a season. Gonzo is here to stay. He is a streaky hitter so I will take the good with the bad

[TheKilo]

I think you guys are going a little crazy over Gonzo's offense...I'll be the first one to admit he's been phenomenal, but I don't see any way of him keeping up anywhere close to this for the whole year. I'm in favor of giving him an extension soley because of his defense...but are all you guys going to be still in favor of it come late September when he's back hitting in the .240's? I'd love to eat my words if he keeps this up, I'm just not convinced yet.

 

 

With his D I'd be stoked if he hit .250.

[MANNYHOF24]

I feel the sox should offer Gonzo some sort of extension, maybe 2 years at 8 million?

[Cocos Disciples]

He also showed signs of power in 2003 and 2004, hitting a combined 41 homers. He has only hit over 10 homers in one other season.

[DirtDog]

when was the last time the REd Sox handed out an extension to a star player before their contract was ending, much less Gonzo

 

The've constantly done it with Nixon, until this year.

[DirtDog]

I feel the sox should offer Gonzo some sort of extension, maybe 2 years at 8 million?

 

don't be ridiculous

[TheKilo]

don't be ridiculous

 

 

How is that ridiculous?

[a700hitter]

How is that ridiculous?

It's definitely not ridiculous. This guy has solidified the infield defense raising it to a level that I have not seen in 39 years. There has also been some clutch production with the stick. The guy is a keeper.

 

 

Clement's contract is ridiculous. Anything spent on Jason johnson is ridiculous. A 2year 6-8 million contract would be a wise investment.

[RoyNHSox]

I thought it was strange that Gonzo wasn’t given the start today, considering he went 4 for 4 in the previous game on Friday. Instead Tito gives Cora the start, and he has a great game as well with 2H, 1BB, and 2SB.

 

I’m wondering if maybe Tito deserves some extra credit with how he has platooned Gonzo and Cora this year with setting up favorable matchups, because both are having standout seasons offensively.

[a700hitter]

I thought it was strange that Gonzo wasn’t given the start today, considering he went 4 for 4 in the previous game on Friday. Instead Tito gives Cora the start, and he has a great game as well with 2H, 1BB, and 2SB.

 

I’m wondering if maybe Tito deserves some extra credit with how he has platooned Gonzo and Cora this year with setting up favorable matchups, because both are having standout seasons offensively.

It would be hard to fault him on this count so far.

[TheKilo]

It's definitely not ridiculous. This guy has solidified the infield defense raising it to a level that I have not seen in 39 years. There has also been some clutch production with the stick. The guy is a keeper.

 

 

Clement's contract is ridiculous. Anything spent on Jason johnson is ridiculous. A 2year 6-8 million contract would be a wise investment.

 

 

A+

 

 

Agreed 100%. Pedroia, if not traded, will platoon with Cora or Loretta at 2nd next year.

[riverside sluggers]

A+

 

 

Agreed 100%. Pedroia, if not traded, will platoon with Cora or Loretta at 2nd next year.

 

With Loretta having a contract year and approaching the age of 35, I do believe that Pedroia is setting himself up to be the 2007 opening day starter. Dont get me wrong because Ive been a Loretta supporter since the day he was traded here. Even backing him up when people on here were asking for a trade of a 2nd baseman when Loretta had that brief slump in April.

 

Loretta was brought in as a stopgap, give some time for Pedroia to find his groove. He is getting close to .300 now in Pawtucket. I have heard some comparisons be made to a younger version of Mark Loretta himself. In the minors he is known to hit around .300, play steady defense, solid gap power hitter, and what Theo loves best... patience of the strike zone

[Teddyballgame10]

How about Gonzo hitting 276.? Ill take that with his defence. if you ask me hes having a great year for the red sox. 276 im still shocked how good that is for him. I hope the resighn him.

[RoyNHSox]

How about Gonzo hitting 276.? Ill take that with his defence. if you ask me hes having a great year for the red sox. 276 im still shocked how good that is for him. I hope the resighn him.

 

I wonder what kind of money he'll be looking for in his next contract. With his exceptional season offensively and the good possibility of the GG award, he might be out-pricing himself in the eyes of the Sox FO. Especially if they see someone like a Lugo available who is an overall better ball player looking for similar money.

[Rdsxmbnt]

Gonzalez, if he finishes the season batting .270-.280 and possibly wins a GG, its not unreasonable to think he might get a 3yr 15-18 mil contract from someone, and im not sure the Sox are willing to pay him that. I personally would much rather see them sign someone like Lugo to a 4yr 28mil deal or so because Lugo can hit leadoff and fill the #2 hole in place of Lorretta, while Gonzalez is more of a bottom of the order hitter, along with Pedroia who would hit low in the order in his first year. So if Pedroia and Gonzalez are both at the bottom of the order who hits #2? This team will have a good chunk of money available to spend, especially if the FO is serious about putting Pedroia at 2B and Pena in RF with possibly Murphy, etc. Main holes to fill then would be at SS and SP (possibly bullpen too) so with all the money id like to see the Sox invest some of that money in an upgrade at SS in Lugo.

[riverside sluggers]

Gonzalez, if he finishes the season batting .270-.280 and possibly wins a GG, its not unreasonable to think he might get a 3yr 15-18 mil contract from someone, and im not sure the Sox are willing to pay him that. I personally would much rather see them sign someone like Lugo to a 4yr 28mil deal or so because Lugo can hit leadoff and fill the #2 hole in place of Lorretta, while Gonzalez is more of a bottom of the order hitter, along with Pedroia who would hit low in the order in his first year. So if Pedroia and Gonzalez are both at the bottom of the order who hits #2? This team will have a good chunk of money available to spend, especially if the FO is serious about putting Pedroia at 2B and Pena in RF with possibly Murphy, etc. Main holes to fill then would be at SS and SP (possibly bullpen too) so with all the money id like to see the Sox invest some of that money in an upgrade at SS in Lugo.

 

As I posted in the "Lugo??" thread, the Devil Rays are closing in on a long term deal with Julio Lugo

 

http://www.tbo.com/sports/rays/MGBN697L4QE.html

 

Pedroia is being deemed as a protypical #2 guy, so he could have that job sometime into 2007. I so far see ahead opening day 2007, maybe Youk & Crisp manning the top of the order. Everything will work itself out

[DirtDog]

I wonder what kind of money he'll be looking for in his next contract. With his exceptional season offensively and the good possibility of the GG award, he might be out-pricing himself in the eyes of the Sox FO. Especially if they see someone like a Lugo available who is an overall better ball player looking for similar money.

 

You knwo the more we keep praising him and such the more he'll ask for. His skills require some bit of an ambiguity on his value and right now the praise he is getting from the organization and the fans are warranting him a decent sized deal for the caliber of player he actually is.

[SCM33]

You knwo the more we keep praising him and such the more he'll ask for. His skills require some bit of an ambiguity on his value and right now the praise he is getting from the organization and the fans are warranting him a decent sized deal for the caliber of player he actually is.

 

Another ho hum incredible play.

 

That was a very tough play to make, catching the ball from Crisp off balance, turning his hips mid stride and firing a pretty throw to 1B.

[Anuj09]

I hope Gonzo stays here for a while

[RoyNHSox]

Another ho hum incredible play.

 

That was a very tough play to make, catching the ball from Crisp off balance, turning his hips mid stride and firing a pretty throw to 1B.

 

Just Gonzo being Gonzo…It was another great heads up play that you’ve almost come to expect from him. FWIW, it made the #4 play of the day on Sports Center Top 10 Plays.

[riverside sluggers]

Just Gonzo being Gonzo…It was another great heads up play that you’ve almost come to expect from him. FWIW, it made the #4 play of the day on Sports Center Top 10 Plays.

 

He & Crisp combined for 2 outfield assists

-- Shoppach at 3rd base (Crisp made a perfect throw to Gonzo right after he caught the ball)

-- Martinez at 1st base (Yes Crisp's throw was a little bit off line but we have to take in consideration that Crisp was actually able to make that catch in the 1st place. After hitting the wall, he had to fire it back all the way to 1st base with the arm of his.)

-- Anyone else think that he's been working on his defense lately? His catches and relays have been more on the mark

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Gonzalez has suprised me. I dont know if its Fenway but hes hitting 77 points above his career OPS and hes playing a great SS. Thats bang for your buck.

[SCM33]

Gonzalez has suprised me. I dont know if its Fenway but hes hitting 77 points above his career OPS and hes playing a great SS. Thats bang for your buck.

 

 

Not bad for someone who we projected to hit .225, or rather that we would be happy with .225.