Marwin Gonzalez’s list of known suitors continues to grow, as Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi (via Twitter) reports that the Blue Jays have interest in the utilityman. The exact level of interest isn’t known, as Davidi notes that Toronto could be taking only a due-diligence look at a notable free agent who is still on the market this late in the offseason, though the Blue Jays have been interested in Gonzalez in the past.
While the Blue Jays’ infield trio of Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio all carry some level of multi-positional versatility, Santiago Espinal and Richard Urena are the top current options for the backup infield role, so Gonzalez would provide a veteran upgrade. Gonzalez is also a switch-hitter, adding left-handed depth to the mostly right-handed hitting Jays roster.
Of course, Gonzalez hasn’t been particularly effective as a left-handed batter in any of the last three seasons — or against righties either during a tough 2020 season. The 31-year-old hit only .211/.286/.320 over 199 total plate appearances with the Twins last year, and might be best positioned as a bench piece rather than as a player who could be counted on for a platoon role or semi-regular usage at multiple positions. Gonzalez’s calling card is versatility, as he has clocked lots of playing time at all four infield spots and the two corner outfield positions over his nine MLB seasons.
Toronto joins the Red Sox, Phillies, Twins, Mets, and Tigers as teams linked to Gonzalez over the course of the winter. This group could possibly comprise the half-dozen teams MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently reported as looking at Gonzalez, unless one of these clubs has since moved on, or if a mystery team is also in the mix.
Rangers29
Shh, I’m watching Tom Brady be Tom Brady.
mnsportsfan
Let’s go Bucs!!
ajrodz1335
TB12 getting his 7th ring
whyhayzee
The refs are making the game unbearable. Pass interference on uncatchable passes. And bogus unsportsmanlike conducts. Just let them play. You don’t have to rig the game. Fake football! Oh, and the ads are terrible.
tom brunanskys black sock
Don’t watch then. Christ.
sascoach2003
Agreed. And, I have no dog in the hunt. Just trying to watch an unbearable game as a sports fan
metsws2021
I agree. As a Jet fan, my team is nowhere near Tampa, but the refs have to let them play. It seems like is KC is way too hyped up. Spags has his work cut out for himself at halftime. But come on. those pass interference calls are ridiculous.
Old User Name
While I agree, I have money on Tampa. So it’s all good.
OIC2021
Feel the same way. No way is the NFL going to let Kansas City win the game so Andy Reid has to answer questions about his son’s car accident injuring those two young kids.
mnsportsfan
One thing we can all agree on…
The ads are not good.
MikeD26
I just stopped watching after the first half, every year is the same thing.
TennVol
With all the positional flexibility the Jays already have this pickup would make no sense, unless, he is signed to a minor league contract.
vinnie
1 or 2 years would be nice to get Marwin he can switch perfect the 3rd and 1st and outfield
MikeD26
1 year.
smuzqwpdmx
It makes plenty of sense. Somebody’s going to get hurt. I’d rather have Marwin taking over whichever infield position (or outfield if one of the OFs gets traded) than trust Espinal to play every day on a contending team. And I don’t want Urena playing period.
That said, they could also sign a more traditional infielder and use that to free up Biggio as the superutility guy. The only advantage of Gonzalez is he can fill in for an injured Biggio too.
its_happening
Marwin has lost any goodwill as a utility player with his fading bat, aging legs and suspect glove. I’ll take Espinal at 600k, and request a better rotation.
bhambrave
Cheater.
coupofthecentury
Do you call your fav team/player a cheater too or are you just oblivious
bhambrave
Documented. Look at Marwin’s 2017. Gross outlier.
Flyby
Cheater you say in 2017 … you mean the below?
Major League Baseball began to investigate the club’s practices in signing amateur players from international markets. The probe resulted in the resignation and subsequent lifetime ban of Hart’s subordinate, general manager John Coppolella, and the one-year suspension of the club’s scouting director.Hart was not directly implicated in nor sanctioned for the scandal, but he resigned in its wake on November 17, 2017.
Document with punishment. kettle meet pot.
bhambrave
Lifetime ban, Penalties and sanctions on signing players, Lost thirteen prospects.
Marwin got off scott free.
See the difference?
coupofthecentury
Wow. Those cheating a** braves front office scumbags.
bhambrave
Yep. I agree. thankfully they’re gone and banned.
Quote from Marwin:
“I wish I could take it back and do it a different way, but there’s nothing we can do,”
Documented.
Flyby
Reporter: Marwin we saw you drop that piece of gum on the floor before the game and then gave it to your unsuspecting teammate saying it was a fresh piece.
Marwin: “I wish I could take it back and do it a different way, but there’s nothing we can do,”
Documented
i feel bad for the teammate but i guess we could have made Marwin buy him a toothbrush afterwards. It wouldn’t have been a scandal then. *shrug*
bhambrave
So you defend cheaters. Good to know.
Flyby
Glad you are rooting for a team that was setup by cheaters unless the entire team changed over since 2018. Yup 3/5 of your rotation your star outfielder were all brought along by the Hart or Hart Coppola regime. Who knows what backhanded deals they did for those guys as well.
But hey throwing the blame on others but reaping the rewards for yourself is ok in your book thats your prerogative
99 Captain Judge
Why can’t everybody just leave my dirty cheatin’ Stro’s alone? lol… We only got one championship cheatin’ and we haven’t been forced to give it back? So everything is all okay. We can cheat for years and just be fined, suspended and lose draft picks and life goes on… smh trash cans and drum-role please.
astrosfan4life
The Yankees are literally suing to keep the cheating evidence against them from being published.
robluca21
Sometimes an outlier is just an outlier
bhambrave
Because the union wasn’t involved, the Braves were investigated pretty thoroughly and were levied some pretty strong penalties. Those responsible were punished, the organization was heavily sanctioned and the prospects that were improperly signed were taken away. The Astros found a couple of scapegoats but everyone else dodged punishment. I think it’s sad that Astros fans feel the need to defend the team or it’s players. Just admit they cheated and got away with it. Btw, I’ve heard or read that several players expressed remorse, but I haven’t read that any of them gave up their rings or their bonus checks.
astrosfan4life
@bhambrave I hate what they did and only defend the few who supposedly didn’t partake (Altuve, Reddick, Kemp). In regards to giving up the rings and/or bonus money, Mike Fiers didn’t give his up either…
bluejaysforever
The Jays could trade Gurriel and prospects for a Pitcher! Maybe Sonny Gray?
mlb1225
Better be getting Luis Castillo too at the very least. Gurriel is a piece they should be building around, not trading for anything less than a sizeable overpay.
dman07
Agreed. Gurriel has one of the best team friendly contracts in all of Baseball. His potential hasn’t even been touched yet!
Joe Carters walkoff
Gurriel would be one of the last Jays id want to see traded. Id sooner move Biggio
MarkoRock68
Gurriel plus prospects huh- you certainly over value Gray.
Cubsforever22
I’d take marwin on the cubs
0-3
imo this money should be used on starting pitching instead (or should have been used).
Ryu is injury prone, Pearson hasn’t proven anything yet, Ray could be a good number 3, and Roark/ stripling/ matz are all number five or six as rotation guys.
jimmertee
Acquiring Marwin doesn’t mean anything without the BlueJays acquiring an elite starter.
Back to watching the G.O.A.T. win another superbowl.
bobtillman
Since this a baseball site, I assume you mean the GOAT whose dad pitched for the Red Sox.
Diggydugler
Dante Bichette never pitched for the Red Sox..
expos_back_by_2025
any starter, for that matter
Diggydugler
Waste of a roster spot, move along.
boknows
Jays also have Breyvic Valera as a utility infield option
jaysfansince1977
Valera is still on the restricted/suspended list
bluejaysforever
He could be Jays Kike Hernandez!
VonPurpleHayes
I missed these “Blue Jays are interested in…” articles. Glad to see them back.
RobM
It brought back warm memories to the early part of the offseason when nothing was happening.
Monkey’s Uncle
I still want my “The Blue Jays are interested” T-shirt.
expos771
we suposely ave the best young core thats wat shatkind saying for last 2 year but they are getting siemens an now trying on gonsalez
bigio bichette guerrero guriel ??? they dont trust them they should go after good pitching ??
Joe Carters walkoff
Looks like Quebecs in the house
bigdaddyt
It’s depth and creating a line up that’s good 1-9 on any day of the week and allow for injuries and rest days while also fielding a competitive roster. Jays need starters sure and their clearly going for quantity over quality in hopes that someone figures it out. Rotation outside of Ray, Ryu and Pearson could have any of Hatch, Kay, Merryweather, Stripling, Roark, Matz, Chatwood and Zeuch. Now most of those guys will go in the pen but chances are be asked to pitch multiple innings
its_happening
Jays have plenty of depth in the form of Grichuk, Espinal, McGuire and hopefully Davis over Fisher. Unless a big trade for a pitcher involving current MLB pieces were to happen there is no reason for Marwin to be in Toronto. Marwin could start for a bad team and hope for a midseason trade.
Outside of Ryu, lots of questions in the rotation. The starting pitching is living on a prayer.
RobM
The Blue Jays interested in ________.
You don’t say?
Monkey’s Uncle
But wait, are the Blue Jays interested?
Wait…
bluejaysforever
We could get our very own super utility man!!
MarkoRock68
Gonzalez at this point is not worth the roster spot or giving up someone on the 40 man.
Bochys Retirement Fund
I went to look at his stats bc I could of sworn he had a really good offensive season. Turns out it was 2017 with Houston, which is interesting. Must be a good hitting coordinator then.
bhambrave
Most of those Asterisks were good that year.
astrosfan4life
Most of the Astros were good before and after 2017, except Marwin Gonzalez who had an absurd year relative to his historical output.
bhambrave
Buzz Altuve, Correa, Springer, Reddick, Gonzalez and Marisnick all had big drop-offs from 2017 to 2018. Coincidence?
99 Captain Judge
@astrosfan4life-yes good cheaters
astrosfan4life
@bhambrave – Altuve’s stats in 2018 were only slightly down and that was due to injury (only 137 games played out of 162). Otherwise he was on par with his career. He also supposedly didn’t partake in the cheating and the guy who did the big study on all 162 games that season agreed.
Josh Reddick could go either way but his 2017 numbers weren’t outlandish (like Marwin). Supposedly he didn’t participate but only he knows.
Marisnick, it’s hard to argue for/against as he wasn’t even good in 2017 haha.
Springer’s 2017 stars were on par with his career and his 2018 was not a significant dip from 2017 or his career.
Correa did benefit from the cheating, probably second to Marwin.
Orel Saxhiser
With all the French-speaking people in the Toronto area, I’m surprised the Jays aren’t in on Pierre Francois De La Brioski. He’s not much of a hitter but would be a fan favorite due to his work designing and building the sewers of Paris.
Cap & Crunch
Im not a big Jake Ordoozi fan but he fits that teams ledger pretty well-
Think hes prolly a 3/40 candidate but if I was Tor I might see if I can get a 2 year 30~32 at first with a concrete offer soon
bigdaddyt
Think their more inclined to get a Paxton type. Someone who’s gonna make around 10 million for 1 year. Would fit their current structure well as they have a lot of money coming off the books so far at the end of 2021. Sets them up to enter next offseason to land another premier free agent. Without looking at their payroll I know off the top of my head they have over 40 million coming of the books next winter
its_happening
Not quite sure Marwin makes the Jays better. McGuire, 4th OF, Espinal, Fisher/Davis. The 4th OF is probably Grichuk. Gonzalez isn’t worth the effort if you are the Blue Jays.
bluejaysforever
Trade Grichuk and Gurriel for Pitching sign Marvin Gonzales
hockeyjohn
Grichuk has no trade value.
titanic struggle
So is my exwife…and she doesn’t even like baseball..
Mario93
He can certainly contribute if he’s in form
explodet
Hope so. He’d be a big upgrade to the bench. He’s the perfect bench guy: really good hitter (relative to other bench guys) with a non-zero chance of having another fluke half-season. I’m sure Santiago espinal is a lovely chap and all, but the dude might as well be swinging a broomstick up there.
Grade_1_teacher
They are? When did Marwin learn how to pitch?
bluejaysforever
They have Roark and Matz no Pitching required folks!!
Add a Max Scherzer at the trade deadline if we are still in the race and if the Nats are out!!
99 Captain Judge
The Blue Jays should of signed Springer, Bauer, Odorizzi, Hand, and Paxton this off-season. Without that happening their is no way they will win the AL East or be able to catch the Yankees this year. Buffalo must learn that it is mostly about pitching to win. The Jays definitely look like a wild card team. The Blue Jays will be NY’s 3rd best team in 2021, unfortunately. They could of definitely been the 2nd.
BuJoBi
We did sign Springer fyi
We got yates instead of hand, we already have borucki who will have a great season. Paxton’s injured, Jay’s and everyone else knows it. Hand is done, lost velocity he is a lefty reliever at best now. Odirizzi is the only guy we maybe should have signed but lucky if he buys you 2-3 wins next year at best. Yankees on the other hand are in trouble, they cant stay healthy.
So as a jay fan I’m not worried about the Yankees at all, I’m worried about the Ray’s. Were better then the yankees you just dont know it yet….but you will.
Our core is insane and cheap…yours is old battered, expensive and lucky to stay healthy.
In the end to say if the Jay’s signed this and that guy we would be guaranteed the division is poor baseball IQ, there are no guarantees, no matter who you sign.
99 Captain Judge
@Rowdy’s Telles- yawn! Thanks 4 the laugh! Remember: 3rd best team in NY this year(bluebirds)… And 2nd best team in the AL East. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. And don’t worry about the Devil Rays at all. No Snell and no Morton= 3rd place in the AL East. Bluebirds= 3rd best team in NY, 2nd place team in the AL East.
BuJoBi
We will see when September comes and you need band-aids and bubble gum to keep a team on the field. Good luck with that.
Your 200 million dollar yankees have accomplished nothing!! They have no core which is most important not how much you spend. In case you havent learned yet, Never underestimate the Ray’s.
Jay’s and Ray’s are improving, Yankees without addition on in decline. Sorry but let the door smack you in the face on the way in so you can wake the f up lmao
99 Captain Judge
@Rowdy’s Telles- dude put the cool-aid away already. Your a joke if you think your winning the AL East in 2021. Buffalo has a rotation with Ryu, Matz, Ray, Roark and Pearson. A loser starting 5 that the Yankees will feast upon. The Jays needed to sign Bauer but you didn’t because nobody wants to play in Buffalo or Toronto or wherever you play? So get a grip, relax, and smell 2nd or 3rd place this season and put the cap nip away and stop being delusional like the rest of your fan base… smh
filthyrich
TB has some very nice arms on the way. No guarantees there but impossible to count them out.
NYY has a big Severino wild card returning but so much injury risk all around. Can Judge/Stanton combine for a full season this year? Will Severino/Taillon combine for a full season?
Jays were 1 game behind the Yankees in 2020, both had injuries to their star players most of the season.
Yankees moves so far seem to have improved them a bit. If they can find
health, they are scary. Big if.
Blue Jays moves so far seem to have improved them a bit. If even one arm can blossom, they are scary. Big if.
AL East is gonna be a fun one.
All 5 teams should have signed Bauer. Not the end of the world that he held out for signing back home.
MarkoRock68
The Yanks better hope all of their high risk arms hold up and bounce back. The chances of that are slim to none. Must suck t0 spend 200m+ year after year and not make it out of the AL this past decade.
BuJoBi
Please dont sign Marwin. I want a back up infielder that will be solid at you know…..playing defense.
Yes we need a left handed bat but let’s get one that you know….hits right handed pitching
All around this signing stinks and I hope they dont sign him.
reflect
“Gonzalez hasn’t been particularly effective as a left-handed batter…” “…or against righties either during a tough 2020 season.”
Those are… the same thing. Was one of those sentences supposed to refer to the opposite hand?
99 Captain Judge
Let’s face it nobody wants to play in Toronto. Oh, I mean Buffalo excuse me.
yick04
This statement is definitely backed up by facts.
MarkoRock68
How sweet- the Jays have gotten so into your head you have to come and entertain us with your Grade 5 level attempts at trolling.
99 Captain Judge
@MarkoRock68- truthfully I expected you to have more sense. I know your a die hard which I respect. But the Jays will not catch the Yankees with that pitching. Go sign Odorizzi, Paxton and trade for Luis Castillo and then the Jays have a chance to catch the Yankees in 2021. That is the only way. Roark and Ray belong in your bullpen. Your offense is fine for the playoffs and anything can happen then. Best of luck.
DadsInDaniaBeach
As a Philly Phan, I don’t want to see it. He doesn’t add much to the team if anything at all.
charlesk
OPS in 2017 was his career best by almost 150 points… garbage can man who hits worse LH? Not thanks. Espinal and Urena are fine. Now repeat after Ross: “run prevention and pitching depth”…
charlesk
OPS in 2017 was his career best by almost 150 points… garbage can man who hits worse LH? No thanks. Espinal and Urena are fine. Now repeat after Ross: “run prevention and pitching depth”…
its_happening
Depths of the sea, sure. They are asking for many stars to align.
bluejaysforever
Espinal and Urena are not major league players!
its_happening
Espinal is a backup INF who can play D. If he could hit he could start. He’s a better defender than Urena. Espinal is simply a bench player, and a worthy major leaguer.
bluejaysforever
Ted Williams, Tris Speaker, Enos Country Slaughter and Marvin Gonzales all glue guys and winners!
Atkins sign him already he is the missing piece to the Blue Jay puzzle!!