Carlos Gonzalez

Position: Outfield

Bats: Left – Throws: Left

Born: Oct. 17, 1985 (32)

2017 Stats: 136 G, 534 PA, 14 HR, 57 RBI, 3 SB, .262 BA, .339 OBP, .423 SLG

Advanced Stats: WAR -0.2, .162 ISO, .318 BABIP, .327 wOBA, 84 wRC+

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Outlook:

Coming off a solid 2016 campaign where he launched 25 home runs and drove in 100 runs while hitting to a .298/.350/.505 clip in 150 games (632 plate appearances), Carlos Gonzalez wasn’t quite able to replicate that success in 2017.

The now 32-year-old started his career with the Oakland Athletics in 2008 before joining the Colorado Rockies the following season.

In 2010, the slugger made his name known, clubbing 34 home runs and driving in 117 RBI, while leading the league with 197 hits, a .336 batting average and 351 total bases. That year, he won the batting title, silver slugger award and took home a Gold Glove.

He has appeared in three All-Star Games as a member of the Rockies, making trips to the Mid-Summer Classic in 2012-13 and 2016.

Gonzalez has captured three Gold Gloves total in his career, all as a left fielder, but has since been moved to right field in recent years.

In 1,064.0 innings in right in 2017, Gonzalez had -3 defensive runs saved with a -1.7 UZR while committing three errors.

Gonzalez is also unable to hit left-handed pitching, and has been much worse away from Coors Field. Over the past three years on the road against righties, Gonzalez has hit .271/.338/.454 with a 108 wRC+.

While the Mets could use outfield help, particularly in right, Gonzalez doesn’t appear to be a solution or one the team has even considered yet this offseason, unless he can be had on a short-term, low cost type deal to help boost his value back up.

Contract:

MLB Trade Rumors has Gonzalez signing with the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year, $12 million pact. This makes sense considering he is entering the latter portion of his career and is coming off a down year. However, he hit 40 and 25 home runs, respectively, the past two seasons before this one, so on a short-term deal, a team could dole out some money and hope he returns back to the Gonzalez of old.

Recommendation:

While it wouldn’t be a terribly big investment to ink Gonzalez on a one-year pact, I think the Mets first want to try and sign an outfielder that could also slot into first base. However, if Gonzalez is without a job late in the offseason and can be had for cheaper than that MLBTR predicted $12 million price tag, maybe the Mets look into signing him with the hopes they catch lightning in a bottle. However, he is not atop their priorities list as of right now and likely won’t be unless something unforeseen happens.