Buzz: Trading Adrian Gonzalez Sooner than Later
San Diego reporter Bill Center of the Union-Tribune believes the Padres will trade 1B Adrian Gonzalez ‘sooner rather than later.’
Former Padres GM Kevin Towers recently told the Daily News, basically, it’s not a matter of will the Padres trade Gonzalez, it’s when will they trade Gonzalez.
He will earn $4.75 million in 2010 and has a team option for $5.5 million in 2011, or he can be a free agent.
However, according to Center, Gonzalez will likely earn roughly $20 million per season when he is eligible to be a free agent.
Sunday, in the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo said, “Gonzalez has always wanted to play in a place where it matters, and for the foreseeable future, San Diego doesn’t matter.”
…the Dodgers, Red Sox, Rays, Mariners and Marlins were all linked in rumor to gonzalez during last july’s trade deadline…
…gonzalez will cost a fortune… his price will be bid up significantly because of his low salary, and so a team like the Marlins can be in on him… this is not like acquiring a player who is due too much money, and so only big-market teams can end up acquiring him… at minimum, a team like the Marlins or Mariners can get him for two full seasons at a reasonable price…
…in the end, though, i have a hunch the Padres will hang on to him for one more Opening Day, one more round of tickets, and then know he is still a bargain at next year’s july deadline…
Gonzalez hit .277 with 40 home runs and 99 RBI for a Padres last season, 28 of which were hit away from Petco Park.
He hit two home runs in Citi Field during a three-game series in April.
