Yardbarker: Mike Gonzalez

Gonzalez And Soriano Highly Ranked By Elias

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:02:31 -0500

The deadline for teams to offer their own free agents arbitration is tomorrow and some have wondered if the Braves wouldn't be better off not offering arbitration to both of their Type A relievers, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano. The argument has been that if both players accepted the Braves would be hampered in their ability to acquire their other offseason needs by the salaries those two would command in arbitration, perhaps upwards of 8 million each, and that the benefit of offering ...

Olney: Yanks Looking To Land Two Relievers

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:12:00 -0500

In his most recent blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney says that besides their outfield needs their main focus will be their bullpen and in all likelihood will look to land two relievers. Olney also said that "it's unclear whether New York GM Brian Cashman is going to be willing to give up his first-round pick in the draft for a set-up man."Names Olney mentions as possible targets were Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, Jose Valverde and Brandon Lyon.To me getting the starting rotati...

Talking Chop Round Table: Braves Relievers

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:22:33 -0500

As part of season reviews for major league players and top prospect rankings for minor league players, we here at Talking Chop thought it would be a fun idea to get all of our bloggers together with the help of Google Docs and debate the various aspects of each position in the Braves organization. The participants are, yours truly (gondeee, indicated by MG), yondaime4 (indicated by MF), royhobbs (indicated by DH), and cbwilk (indicated by CBW). The round table for relievers in the Brave...

Interesting Free Agent Rankings

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:33:52 -0500

More photos » by Winslow Townson - AP Billy Wagner could wind up in an Atlanta Braves uniform next year. Browse more photos » Keith Law ranks the top-50 free agents at ESPN Insider. Some interesting notes: He lists Mike Gonzalez 16th, ahead of Rafael Soriano, saying they are the two best relievers on the market, but he considers Gonzo healthier and more valuable from the left side. Rafael Soriano is 19...

Yanks Interested In Soriano, Gonzalez?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:45:00 -0500

According to Ken Rosenthal via MLB Trade Rumors, he's been getting mixed signals from people around baseball. The team, according to one rival executive, plans to pursue free-agent relievers Rafael Soriano, a right-hander, and Mike Gonzalez, a lefty. The Yankees have liked both pitchers in the past.However, another source with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking says the team prefers to address any bullpen holes from within, using the same strategy that they employed successfully last ...

Braves 2009 Season in Review: Mike Gonzalez

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:16:16 -0500

More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP The typical Gonzo pose. Browse more photos » If Rafael Soriano was the Atlanta Braves closer that came out of the gate strong and finished poorly, then Mike Gonzalez is the opposite -- the closer who started out poorly and finished strong. Gonzalez was in the co-closer role out of spring training, but he was clearly favored by Bobby Cox to get the lions share of saves. Gon...

Gonzalez signs with Boras, becomes greatest.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:05:39 -0500

Free agent lefty Mike Gonzalez today announced that he has signed with superagent Scott Boras. The former Atlanta reliever instantly became one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game. Hell yes! I'm gonna get paid! “Gonzalez has consistently walked on water since his days in Pittsburgh,” Boras said of his new client, who has posted a 2.57 ERA over seven seasons. “Tommy John surgery two years only made him more valuable. We should all have that surgery. I’m getting it myself. In both arms.” The Cuban-born pitcher will be 32 in May, or as Boras puts it, “in the effin’ prime of his career. Godamighty, to be 32 and post-surgery again, huh? C’mon, am I right? Christ, the kid’s got the...

Two Major League sources have confirmed that Mike Gonzalez has chosen Scott Boras to now serve as...

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:50:44 -0500

Two Major League sources have confirmed that Mike Gonzalez has chosen Scott Boras to now serve as his agent. The left-handed reliever had previously been represented by Dan Lozano of the Beverly Hills Sports Council. Mike Gonzalez signs with Scott Boras Frank Wren and agent Scott Boras are on better terms than Boras and John Schuerholz were, so the relationship should no longer be a hurdle, but the $$$ that Gonzo will now cost might be. I wonder if this will affect whether or not t...

Demand for Mike Gonzalez?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:20:00 -0500

SI.com's Jon Heyman notes that free agent LHP Mike Gonzalez has received a high level of interest on the free agent market:Reliever Mike Gonzalez appears very popular in the free-agent market. There are loads of bullpen options, but he can set up, he can close and he's left-handed, making him about the most desirable of the lot.When Gonzalez is healthy, he has electric stuff and can be one of the best left handed relief pitchers in baseball. Not only can Gonzalez get out both lefties ...

This Week's Schedule at Talking Chop: November 16-22

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:15:10 -0500

This week we will finish up all of the 2009 Player Reviews and the top prospects by position. The bullpen is the last area of the team to discuss and we'll continue with the format that we've been using all off-season, starting with the major league guys, then moving on to the minor leaguers. Tuesday: Braves 2009 Season in Review: Rafael SorianoWednesday: Braves 2009 Season in Review: Mike GonzalezThursday: Braves 2009 Season in Review: Middle ...

Four Atlanta Braves file for Free Agency

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:35:24 -0500

The Atlanta Braves had four of five eligible players file for free agency yesterday. First baseman Adam LaRoche, outfielder Garret Anderson, pinch hitter Greg Norton, and reliever Mike Gonzalez all filed for free agency, leaving only reliever Rafael Soriano yet to file. The two relievers, Gonzalez and Soriano, are both type-A free agents, meaning the Braves would receive two first round draft picks (1 and 1S) is they offered either arbitration and they signed elsewhere. Because they are ...

Free Agent At the End of the Season: Mike Gonzalez

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:55:00 -0500

Let's take a look at the upcoming free agency of left handed relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez:The Case for Gonzalez-left handedThe mere fact that Gonzalez is a power lefty makes him much more valuable on this market. Billy Wagner and Mike Gonzalez are in exclusive company as free agents.-strikeoutsGonzalez is a pure strikeout pitcher. Aside from two seasons (2003/2007), Gonzalez's K/9 rate has been at least 10 in every season. Wow. And this year, Gonzalez's K/9 is 10.9 and he's st...

Mike Gonzalez has elbow tendonitis

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:48:16 -0500

Mike Gonzalez has elbow tendonitis He apparently returned to Atlanta today to have his elbow examined (I guess there are no doctors that we trust in Colorado). Frank Wren says that Gonzo should be able to pitch when play resumes after the All-Star break. I wonder if it could have something to do with Gonzalez being used in every other game. He is tied for third in baseball in appearances with our own Eric O'Flaherty at 45, trailing Peter Moylan, who his first with 47. This bullpe...