The Padres have been connected to a number of high-profile names over the past week — Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto — and MLB.com’s Jon Morosi now adds that they’re also considering free-agent lefty Gio Gonzalez. The Mets, too, have maintained contact with Scott Boras regarding Gonzalez, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports (via Twitter).
Gonzalez, 33, has made 31 or more starts in all but one season dating back to 2010, with the lone exception being a 2014 campaign in which he took the ball 27 times. Last season, in 171 innings between the Nationals and Brewers, the two-time All-Star logged a respectable 4.21 ERA but did so with his lowest K/9 (7.8) and highest BB/9 (4.2) marks since cementing himself as a big league starter. Of course, a year prior, Gonzalez tossed 201 innings of 2.96 ERA ball with 8.4 K/9 against 3.5 BB/9.
Earlier this winter, the Padres were linked more to younger rotation options, as their goal at the time appeared to be to add a pitcher on a multi-year deal who’d still be in his prime during San Diego’s return to contention. Gonzalez may not fit that bill, though it’s also quite possible that like many other free agents, his asking price has dropped. And, it’d be easy enough for the Padres to fit Gonzalez into their rotation picture, given the general lack of experience among the team’s current rotation options. San Diego has numerous young options with more upside than Gonzalez, but Gonzalez is one of the most reliable sources starts remaining on the open market and could thus help to stabilize that young group.
As for the Mets, Puma notes that they’re debating internally whether he’s enough of an upgrade over in-house options. Certainly, Gonzalez would appear to be an upgrade over Jason Vargas, although Vargas is owed $8MM this season, which would likely be a factor to consider when potentially displacing him. Beyond that, it’s worth noting that each of Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler spent time on the disabled list last season. The Mets’ rotation is quite talented, though health has long been an issue for the collective group, and depth beyond the team’s top quintet is thin, too.
It’s been a quiet winter on the Gonzalez front, with few known suitors beyond today’s pairing, although the Brewers were mentioned as a possibility by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt just yesterday.
Vargas seemed to have straighten himself out in second half of last season. So I don’t see the Muts subtracting him from the rotation. On the other hand, it’s almost a lock that one, two, or three starters will land on the disabled list in the coming season, so what the hell. Might as well sign Gio if he comes cheap enough.
Muts LOL that is so clever. I couldn’t even read the rest of your post I was so impressed with your wit.
I’m actually a Mets fan. Just find it funny to refer to them as the Muts. So are the eight thumbs down due to calling them the Muts? Or was it something else I said?
Hey Rod-spoken like a true Mets fan, “if he comes CHEAP enough”. Problem is that he will not go to the Flushing frugals, unless he feels like he is injured and likely for a long DL stint, in which case he would fit in perfectly with the Mets organization.
Spoken in true true yankee fan fashion
Mike is cool, back off
Having your mom fight for you… not cool
At least dummy is checking his spelling and facts. Lol
Is there anyone that the Padres or Mets haven’t been linked to?
Sims-good point. From the official Mets handbook, “we must give the appearance that we are all in for enough free agents so that we can effectively fool the stupid Mets fans into buying more tickets. With this deception we have the greatest chance at ticket revenue without expense.”
Mets’ Senior citizen Mutt summarizes this philosophy, “Hey it doesn’t cost me a
Single penny to pull this kind of crap.”
You’re a sad person.
Exactly let’s not focus on the genius Cashman who can’t even make a trip to the World Series in a decade, let’s just make fun of somebody else.
@toofpick78
Yes he is. He’s a little punk who likes to bully people from a far. He already knows where I stand. Waiting for him to name a time & place so I can show him what happens to bullies.
@njbirdsfan
Exactly!!! What have the Yankees accomplished lately??? Oh yea, not a damn thing. Thank God we “incompetent” Mets fans have Yankee fans to show us how spending stupid money wins championships……….oh, but wait, the Yankees aren’t winning championships.
Let’s see how innovative Cashman is, besides resigning 2018 Yankees (Sabathia, Happ & Britton), the biggest off season move the Yankees made was signing DJ Lemahieu. Really??? A Coors Field player, HAHA!!!!!! Sure, Adam Ottavino was a good signing but Lemahieu……..guarantee Yankee fans will be begging to trade him by the allstar break.
When you look at the Mets off season, they CRUSHED the Yankees in every way and have not only improve their team but actually did spend money this off season. Only difference is that the Mets have spent their money wisely instead of blindly signing players that don’t fit.
The Yankees are going to hit, but who wouldn’t in that joke of a stadium, but still don’t have the pitching to do much in the playoffs.
Danny, I usually defend you but the Meta did not crush the Yankees in every way. The Yankees needed minor tweaks and they accomplished it. The Mets needed a major overhaul and may have accomplished it. Championships are won in the offseason
Is Mike still Yanking? Jeter is lonely
Paying Cano 24 mil in FUVE seasons from now was money spent wisely…..lol
swapped Bruce and Swarzak contract plus cash which offset that 24 mil
@MetsFanaticDanny
1986 dude.
And while they may have “crushed” this offseason I offer you one number 1993.
Don’t get me started on the 00’s…
@Senioreditor
You clearly don’t read and/or are just moronic but if you clearly knew the the trade details, the Mariners are paying for nearly half of Cano’s remaining contract. Plus, I would MUCH rather have Cano for the next 5 yrs at $64 million over Stanton at 9 years & over $300 million.
Dude, if you’re ONLY insulting comeback is that the Mets acquired Cano, especially when they’re trying to win, you need to need to go get to Barnes & Noble asap and read “How To Properly Insult For Dummies”.
@Happy2Engage
Classic Yankee fan living in the past. I live in the present. The here & now. I don’t care what the Mets did in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s or 00’s. What happened back then has ZERO relevance with what happens in 2019. That’s just facts.
Don’t expect much from him…he struggles with life.
100 wins last season Danny. How about your team?
Let’s go right to the measure that matters most.
Your impotent friend points to 2009 since WS champions.
Well Danny for your team remember that the rules are WS Champs, not almosts and pretty closes”.
So Danny’s tail goes between his hind legs as we chant 1986.
And your team CRUSHES every off season. Remember last year’s big catches: AG, Reyes, Frazier and Bruce? Did I get them all? Please check the unemployment or social security lists.
And the year before it was the signing of Cespedes. Maybe I have the wrong year—I can’t keep track of it since he has been in the DL for most of this contract.
Which team blindly signs players that don’t fit? The answer to the question to this year is the team that signed a former agent, who in turn signed or brought his boys to the team. Wagon Wheel knows nothing about how to build a team. He’s a two bit commissioned salesman.
Remember how much piss was coming up through your nostrils after the HOT April. It was enjoyable that by Memorial Day you had given up on the season and we’re watching reruns of Tom Seaver’s best games.
Oh, and the Danny’s big brag now is Cano? This may be the best example yet of the Mets’ ineptitude. We’re stocked up on beverages waiting for the drama to begin with the WORST contract ever traded for in MLB history.
The NY tabloids will be ripping Cabo’s PED rear apart as his diminished range coupled with his lack of hustle create the regular call, “Bases loaded. Ground ball up the middle should make it easy to turn two. Oh-It just eludes Cano’s glove. Basehit clears the bases.”
You forgot to mention this decade, which is coming up with another 0. Closing in on 4 decades, the fact is that history has a way of repeating in Flushing.
Only a dummy would got to B and N to read a book there. Unless it is someone like you that is dumb and unemployed.
The fact is that you should not bet too much in Fan Duel for the Mets or you will be thrown out of your apartment by Labor Day.
Yeah because fans buy tickets based on who the team was “in on” over the off season. You’ve yanked one too many Mikey
Thanks for sharing proof that you are so dumb. The Mets go through the
Motions to suck cash out of their dumb fans (hey are they your cousins?)
Seems like the Pads are the official market-trolling team for Boras this year. Do they at least get some compensation for playing along?
Yea Goldschimt and Miller, the Cardinals jumped on that trash
Cano, the Mets took that albatross
Lets not forget the 140 mil gave to “one good year” Patrick Corbin
McCutchen, the Phils were actually “stupid” with their money
ahhh the Padres. Linked to everyone, yet get nobody..
It does seem that way
Nothing wrong with Preller showing fans he will go after free agents. When they are good in a few years these type of free agents will be foaming at the mouth to play in SD. If their jerseys weren’t so bland and boring that would help as well. They should certainly consider a revamp in that department. But SD is too great of a city to not attract free agents if the scenario is right.
Yes, when millions of dollars in earnings and championships are on the line players only think of jerseys…
The Padres have already announced a change to some sort of brown uniforms for 2020. Not sure brown uniforms are going to change the minds of any free agents, but I am pretty sure a high AAV would/will.
Yeah the blue ones are boring, and they will be back in brown for 2020.
But their military Marpat are legit. Other teams have copied them since then but those look trashy compared to San Diego’s.
Apparently people like camo uniforms. I wouldn’t want to look at them every day.
going after players and talking about going after players are two completely different things.
It’s ironic how they are linked to everyone but have yet to get anyone. This is a stark contrast to the year he went out and got everyone and the plan backfired. Must have learned his lesson
They signed Ian Kinsler though!
@terror Too great of a city? It’s still in CA right? No one has ever wanted to play in SD, except for Tony Gwynn(RIP).
hahaha. your name says it all. Enjoy wherever you are today.
The real question is, who are the padres not interested in?
Me 🙁
The child known as xabial.
Hahahahahahah
lol
The Padres are the new Tigers – Boras’ puppets who will be used to drive up prices.
I don’t think they will drive up the prices. I think Boras will tell people that though.
The Tigers also signed those players.
The Padres will get Gio imo. His agency group is small and based out of San Diego. One of my best friends brothers runs it and I’ve met Gio a handful of times. I think he is this years veteran innings eater who helps all of the young kids along.
No one likes a braggart.
Just stating facts. Why would I pick Gio Gonzalez of all people to “braggart” about. I could careless. This is a trade rumors site and I can see Gio’s agents office building from my apartment. When the rumors drops of the link between the two I think it only makes sense to give you guys the facts right?
Quit being an instigator. It was a perfectly appropriate response to the question. Since it correlated.
Hopefully the agency knows they don’t represent Gio anymore and that Scott Boras does.
Right but point stands. He has ties here and was previously a client of a locally based agency. Not to mention he is a veteran LHP option that would really help all of the young arms continue to grow.
No, actually the point doesn’t still stand and just serves as an indication of how clueless and given to wishfull thinking Padres fans are.
Also, not only were yours “facts” wrong, but the statement “I could careless” is just comically wrong. It always amuses me when people are ignorant enough to use the phrase “I could care less’” when the sentiment they are trying to impart is that they could not care less, but you made it even better by using the wrong term careless. You may not care about that sort of thing, but to educated people it just makes you look stupid.
But Gio’s pharmacists are based in Coral Gables, that’s a long ways away…
Gonzalez is represented by the Boras Corporation.
His BBR page says he’s repped by Aces
It’s ACES- The Aguirre brothers run it. I went to high school with one of them and have met Gio a few times, really cool dude. But anyways, the Padres have a need for a TOR veteran arm and Gio would come at decent price so we shall see.
spotrac.com/mlb/milwaukee-brewers/gio-gonzalez-734…
mlbtraderumors.com/2015/08/gio-gonzalez-switches-t…
Guys he switched 3 years ago to Boras. Baseball Reference hasn’t updated it, because they are kind of a crappy site to get info from.
But its so much prettier to look at than Fangraphs…
He switched to Boras four years ago, and he is 100 percent still with Boras Corp.
ACES is run by Sam and Seth Levinson, who are based in Brooklyn. The initially represented him and negotiated his contract extension with the Nationals.
I don’t doubt that you have met Gio through some connections, but something about the relationship with the Aguirre brothers (not sure who they are) has been miscommunicated to you.
That bleacherbum guy is absolutely clueless.
Bleacherbum. It says Gonzalez agent is ACES located in New York,
Bleacherbum isn’t man enough to admit he is wrong.
Padres are like a sheltered girl who goes off to college. She wants to try everything.
My favorite. And a little insecure, so that helps with bad decisions…. lol
And just as with that college girl if they make the wrong choice they might end up with a long term problem.
This sort of thinking is actually quite troubling and predatorial
I get that it was an attempt at humor, just not a funny subject.
Thank you oh great comedy Csar! Please tell me more of the rules of what you think is an acceptable form of comedy.
Also, how was what I said predatorial? T’was simply an observation
Wrongthink is double plus bad, comrade
The Pirates should be in on Gio, Santana, hell even Keuchel. After the pick up of Archer and Kela it really revitalized the fan bases faith, but this whole off season I would say has done even more to completely ruin that faith. There’s no reason at all the Pirates payroll should be lower than it was last year, and 30 million dollars lower than it was in 2017. If the moves for Archer and Kela were for a window of contention rather than just a playoff spot last year, don’t you think they should be building onto those acquisitions? Dumping Nova only made sense if they were going to acquire someone better to fill the 5th spot, or acquire a better pitcher for the top and bump Musgrove to 5. Jordan Lyles ain’t it man. Need to do better
The fact that they haven’t went after any pitchers who are at the very least average is beyond disappointing. Especially after losing 2 players to TJ surgery (Kuhl and Edgar Santana).
I could be wrong but I feel like Gio is just a younger version than Vargas
The difference is durability. Which is something the Mets could use.
I actually have some hope Vargas will have a nice year. But virtually no team gets through the season with just 5 starting pitchers, and given the Mets history it is not unreasonable, it would be absurd to expect that they wont need at least 25 starts from someone other than their nominal 5 man rotation.
Gio is a Boras client. His agent is wrong on his baseball reference page.
He hired Boras in 2015:
mlbtraderumors.com/2015/08/gio-gonzalez-switches-t…
The Mets should sign him given their unreliable rotation when it comes to staying healthy. Having 6 starters ready to go opening day isnt bad and it would probably be beneficial for one of them to slot in as the Longman/Swingman starter every few weeks to give some guys a breather.
The Mets have battled injuries in past years, but the starters were actually quite durable last season:
deGrom….32 starts
Syndergaard ….25 starts
Wheeler….29 starts
Matz….30 starts
Vargas…unfortunately 20 starts
That’s pretty solid.
Except bartolo that last year’s durability will lead to this year’s injuries. Don’t forget the damage that the “TC”!years had on many of those young arms.
No need to whine Metsie fans. The proof will be in the parade visting the DL.
Durable guy who gets ground balls about half the time. I think someone gets a good value in him.
I”m just glad the Twins didn’t waste their money on a guy like Gio Gonzalez when there were huge upside guys like Martin Perez they could sign for up to 2yrs and $12.5M.
lol @ huge upside and Martin Perez in the same sentence
Absolutely! Perez could potentially get his ERA slightly under a 5.00ERA this year. That would probably mean not even being a negative WAR production guy in 2019. Sky is the limit!
Cmon Zaidi pull the trigger!! The Giants need at least one corner outfielder with some experience.
Agreed but Gio Gonzalez is not an outfielder. I’m fine with Slater/Duggar/Williamson for now though, all 3 showed excellence at one point or another during the season but consistency is the key. I think we should give Pence a spring training invite to serve as a mentor and possibly find himself on the roster as a bench bat, and sign Marwin Gonzalez to be a utility man.
He stinks
Let’s throw $ at old Dallas Keuchel ok
Gio will give you some maddening starts and some strong starts. In his career more good than bad, but won’t go deep in games due to high pitch counts. Probably a low end #4, high end #5.
I wish the padres didn’t have so many lefty starters already.
The Pads are the impoverished street urchin who is “in” on all the shiny new jewelry and fashions seen in the store windows. They are a joke even among their own kind.
The San Diego Urchins – impressed themselves with their ability and decision to sign Harper(‘s dinner check).
As a Mets fan, I want NO PART of Gio Gonzalez. The Mets already have an emotionally unstable & temperamental LHP and that’s Steven Matz. No thank you. If the Mets really want to add another LHP to the rotation, go sign Dallas Keuchel.
No way the Mets commit to 3+ years and $20mm/year for Keuchel…as much as it would be amazin’ for them. They’d have a 4-deep rotation of 6+ inning starters (plus Matz and Vargas…), which would make their bullpen even more formidable (and maybe even allow them to use a 7-man pen)
I agree, was just making the point that Keuchel would fit much better than Gio.
Emotionally unstable? Did I miss sonething that happened while he was in Washington? I wouldnt have made that assessment when he was in Oakland. Now Im curious! ???
On another note … anyone know what kinda salary he’s projected to get? I know he was making about $12M w/Nats. I was hoping that somehow he’d end up in Oakland. Doesnt have to go deep into games there and everyone always liked him. Granted he’s likely too expensive for the A’s …
But now Im concerned about the emotionally unstable issue. We dont get a lot the east coast news like that (or we ignore it bc everything is always east coast bias … keep up with West teams more or less) Can anyone tell me whats up with that?! He was always a really nice guy when Ive met him…..thanx!
Apparently the Padres have stolen the “leverage team” title from the Giants.
Put away daddy Coupon’s Cosco card, Brodie. He’s not worth it!
If the Mets are going to make one more move this offseason they better make it count..
sergefunction you’re ridiculous
Gio is a big upgrade over Vargas and you could argue he’s better than Matz too so Gio and Matz at the back end of the rotation would be awesome. Vargas is trash.
As a Mets fan I would sign Gio make him the 5th starter behind deGrom,Syn,Matz than Wheeler than Gio and I would try Adam Jones for $5 mil 1 yr deal
Gio has fantastic numbers at Citi Field.He would be an intriguing pickup as a fifth starter.
No he wouldn’t.
Stay in the NL. Smart move for Gio.
The Fightin’ Hosmers need help everywhere
What good does it do to take the ball every five days if you’re only going to go fove innings?
I mentioned earlier that it wouldnt matter if he were in Oakland. Four solid innings from a starter was a blessing for them last season. A good example would be Cahill starting on the road, those starts werent even “solid” – Oakland would take those 4 good innings but I doubt they’d pay what the Nationals paid him – $12M? I think. Anyone know what his asking price is?? Just curious. But perfect fit for A’s….
Wow, some of you guys are mean ! My girlfriend has a little fat dog named Leo. He’s annoying and loud too. This should be fun…relax. Spring Training starts in 3 weeks!