Via the National Post -
The Washington Nationals on Thursday acquired shortstop Alberto Gonzalez from the New York Yankees for righthander Johnny Nunez.
Considered an above-average defensive player, Gonzalez showed very little with the bat in two different stints with the Yankees this season, batting .071 (1-for-14) in 12 games.
Gonzalez, 25, was hitting .247 with one homer and 35 RBI in 106 games at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
He is expected to join the Nationals on Friday and be in uniform for their game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Nunez, 22, split this season between Class A Potomac and Class AA Harrisburg, going a combined 2-8.
This will be the third stop for Nunez – as the Nationals acquired him from the Dodgers (two years ago). At best, he’s a work in progress. His issues: command, lack of a reliable breaking pitch, and fastball that’s only average right now – although some feel that his heater could improve as he gets stronger.
I don’t get this trade – at all. The only thing that I can guess is that the Yankees think Ramiro Pena is near being major league ready. Because, right now, if something happens to Derek Jeter, and it’s long-term, you’re looking at Wilson Betemit or Nick Green as your shortstop…if it’s not Pena. (And, don’t even start about shifting A-Rod to short…that will never happen.)
12 Responses to “Alberto Gonzalez Goes To Washington”
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July 31st, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Steve, First time posting. I’ve read your site for a while and I really enjoy it. Brian Cashman has made a couple of comments (especially after the Pirates trade) That he was making room on the 40 man roster. This is another deal that at least accomplishes this goal. I wouldn’t worry too much, about short. Good field no hit shortstops are something a team can acquire. You are right though this season there is a risk with a Jeter injury. Thanks for the site.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
They get a young arm, and clear off a space on the 40 man roster, which they are desperately going to need come this offseason. Didnt seem to me like Alberto really had a home here, anyway.
kind of surprised they didnt get much more for him, or werent able to package him with someone else for a little better player in return, but in cash we trust.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Heck, if you had to clear a spot on the 40, then just move someone to the 60-day DL, no?
July 31st, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Heck, if you had to clear a spot on the 40, then just move someone to the 60-day DL, no?
I think he meant for the off-season more than right now. The Yankees have a lot of people they need to protect this winter and the 60-day dl doesn’t help then.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:36 pm
perhaps they couldve done that, but for a player who didnt seem to figure in the organizations long term plans, why waste a move like that?
he had a slick glove, but couldnt hit. are we really going to sit here and complain or make a big deal about this?
July 31st, 2008 at 10:42 pm
If the Yankees have someone on the 15-day (Posada?) and he’s going to be out for the rest of the year, there’s no wasted move in putting them on the 60-day. You can have as many as you want on the 60-day.
Then again, I don’t know if Posada is already on the 60? But, you could move someone like Bruney to the 60, just to buy time, before he’s ready to pitch again.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:04 pm
~~Thanks for the site.~~
Hey, thank YOU for reading it!
August 1st, 2008 at 7:55 am
And, don’t even start about shifting A-Rod to short…that will never happen
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Why not?
August 1st, 2008 at 10:00 am
There’s no reason to believe that A-Rod, given his size, age, and the FIVE YEARS that he’s been off the position, can play SS again at the big league level.
It’s also as stupid as the White Sox thinking they can play Griffey everyday in CF.
August 1st, 2008 at 11:07 am
It’s also as stupid as the White Sox thinking they can play Griffey everyday in CF.
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Given Griffey’s injury risk, sure it’s stupid to play him in CF.
But players move between positions all the time. Rodriguez may not be Ozzie Smith, or Omar Vizquel or Khalil Greene at the position, but I see no reason why he can’t be a competent shortstop.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
FWIW, according to Pete Abe, Cody Ransom gets the call if they need an infielder.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
[...] Next, let us look at what the Yankees gave up here: Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez. [...]