5:25pm: The Angels have some interest in Gonzalez, but they aren’t aggressively pursuing him, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (on Twitter). Gonzalez originally signed with the Angels as an amateur free agent in 2004 and was with the organization through 2007.
3:46pm: Four teams are known to be interested in Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, with the White Sox “aggressively pursuing” his services, SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo reports (Twitter link). The Athletics, Blue Jays and Marlins are also interested, he adds.
Gonzalez was placed on release waivers yesterday, and if he isn’t claimed within the 48-hour period, the O’s will be on the hook for roughly a quarter of his $5.1MM salary for the 2016 season. A claiming team would take on the entire $5.1MM figure, so it only makes sense that some clubs are waiting until Gonzalez officially becomes a free agent to make a play for the 31-year-old.
The White Sox are set at the top of the rotation with Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon, though there’s uncertainty in the last two spots. Offseason signing Mat Latos struggled in 2015 and has been hit hard this spring, while John Danks is looking to rebound after several rough seasons.  Though Gonzalez himself struggled last year, he would provide some experienced depth or even a rotation alternative for Chicago.
The A’s, Jays and Marlins could likewise use some extra pitching depth, as all three teams are using some fairly inexperienced arms.  While all have options behind the opening units, added depth never hurts. Toronto will go with Aaron Sanchez as its fifth starter to begin the season but Sanchez will eventually be moved to the bullpen as he approaches an innings cap. The A’s have Sonny Gray, Rich Hill, Kendall Graveman, Chris Bassitt and Felix Doubront slated as the starting five, with Henderson Alvarez expected to join the staff in May when he’s recovered from shoulder surgery. Miami announced yesterday that Adam Conley, Tom Koehler and Jarred Cosart would back up Jose Fernandez and Wei-Yin Chen in its rotation; Justin Nicolino is likely the sixth man in the organization.
Gonzalez posted a 3.45 ERA, 6.45 K/9 and 2.22 K/BB rate over 435 2/3 innings with the Orioles from 2012-14, though advanced metrics were far less bullish on his performance due to a low BABIP and very high strand rate during those three seasons. Those two statistics normalized last season and Gonzalez struggled, managing only a 4.91 ERA in 144 2/3 innings. The Orioles avoided arbitration with the righty by agreeing to that $5.1MM contract but after Gonzalez struggled in Spring Training, cut him from the rotation in favor of Mike Wright.
O’s fans love Miggie aka the Stone Cold Killer. We only wish him the best wherever he lands.
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The White Sox & Blue Jays play in parks where the ball flies out.
The Marlins park is fairly neutral?
The A’s park got pretty scrubby Barry Zito a Cy Young award.
Pretty clear where the best spot for him is….
Marlins park with the retractable roof closed is hard on fly balls. Plus, lots of foul ground.
Yeah Marlins park is massive… I think you’re confused because Giancarlo makes it look like the little league World Series field…
The fact that the Orioles, a team with zero pitching depth, straight up released Gonzalez instead of optioning to AAA (he has one option year remaining) after spending over $200 mil in the offseason just makes no sense at all. So now is the time to get cheap? Who cares if he was bad in spring training, he’s been consistent 4/5 starter for a few years now. Let him go to AAA to figure it out. This move was not worth saving the $5 mil
could be making room for dylan bundy? But he will prolly start in the bullpen.
No, they’re making room for Tyler Wilson or Mike Wright most likely.
Did bundy make the roster this year?
He will as a reliever. Presumably they’ll try to stretch him out to a starter again but very slowly.
Wright already named 4th starter.
Since returning from his two DL stints last season + spring training, Gonzalez hasn’t looked good or performed well. I would also emphasize that the O’s are privy to medical information that the public lacks (obviously). If I were guessing, I would say this is a money & arm/shoulder health issue.
You might be on to something with that thought. His velocity is down slightly.
It’s not as much about the money it’s more about the performance. And to say they have zero pitching depth is just incorrect. They release one major league pitcher and immediately replace him with 2 minor league pitchers who have been ready for the majors for over a year. Gonzalez had a terrible year last year and this spring just brought more concern about what his performance will be like this year.
Phillies fan excited that someone was interested in MAG only it’s an actual productive MAG being talked about..
I disagree with the blue jays needing starting depth. Other than a minor league deal, which I dont see happening, spending any amount of money on him is a waste and would be better spent in the bullpen. Blue jays have a starting 5 of Stroman, Sanchez, Estrada, Dickey and Happ. They have Floyd, Chavez, Hutchison and maybe a couple guys who could make a spot start in AAA if all goes wrong. I dont see the need for Gonzalez.
How about a return back to the angels where he started? they could always use more depth
white sox will sign him with a condition he doesnt bring his kid to the ball park.
😀
The A’s are in big trouble after Gray. Wow, that’s a terrible rotation. Guess sabermetrics has failed Beane. Lol
Or the market for starting pitching has all of a sudden decided Ian Kennedy and Wei-Yin Chen are worth $80M over five years. Similarly, the Pirates rotation could be good, could be total garbage after Gerrit Cole. The smaller markets haven’t had much of a choice this offseason. Even mediocre costs too much money.
Rotation is fine Bassitt and Graveman are solid pieces what they do need is a combination Hill + Alvarez (when healthy) to replace Kazmir probably wont happen but its not impossible. People seem to forget this is the team that produces Cahill/Braden/Anderson/Griffins type pitchers out of no where that can be very good for one or two year stretches. I’d say the problem still lies in the bullpen even though it is fully revamped. Overton might be that next guy on that list.
A’s finish last with that rotation. Especially after they trade Gray at the deadline.
White Sox shouldn’t mess around and just put in a claim and assume the whole $5.1 contract. Get it done, Rick Hahn!
Looks like Gonzalez can cancel the early vacation while he waits for his agents to get him to a new team, he’ll be signed before opening day if all this chatter proves to be correct. Good for him!
By all accounts he is a really stand up guy. I hope he catches on and does well with someone. Preferably someone the O’s don’t have to play to often.
Migule Gonzalez should clear waivers later today (Friday). The White Sox could use some experienced MLB depth at the back end of their starting rotation. Their best current system options should Mat Latos or John Dank struggle or if any injury occurs in the rotation would be Erik Johnson at AAA or Carson Fulmer at AA.
With only one scheduled off day in April, I could see the White Sox adding a 13th pitcher to their rotation early on. They can use the early schedule to audition Latos, Danks and Gonzalez for the #4 and #5 spots by mixing and matching them against opponents while one of them becomes the clubs long reliever, which they currently don’t have on their active roster.
It’s also possible they may find cause to start the season with Latos on the disabled list. Latos and Danks are scheduled to start the final two exhibition games this weekend versus the Padres in San Diego. Those starts may take on added meaning if Gonzales clears waivers and the White Sox sign him.