Gonzo

Today it is being reported that the Pirates are looking at free agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez. Yes the Luis Gonzalez of the Diamondback and Dodgers of a few years ago. Gonzo spent last season in Florida as a bench and role player for the young and up and coming Marlins. Appearantly Luis liked that so much he is looking for another opportunity similar to that, and the Pirates seem to fit the bill.

Gonzalez would probably be a good fit for the club. Granted he is past his prime so he would be no game changer, but he would provide a veteran presence to the club. At the very least he would be a huge upgrade over anyone else in the competition for a bench outfield spot. (Craig Monroe for example.)

Gonzalez's signing could be both a blessing and a curse, if they are looking to quiet fans still upset over Doug Mientkiewicz. One is that he would replace the gritty veteran player role Mientkiewicz filled so well, but it would create the opportunity for more jokes as the Pirates once again sign an aging ballplayer. Though in Gonzalez's defense he is an UPGRADE over the aging ballplayers they have signed or traded for since Kenny Lofton came to Pittsburgh. (see Randa, Joe; Burnitz, Jeromy; and Morris, Matt for examples.)

My only question is why bring in a guy to play on the bench that can only play one position?  Gonzo could also play first, but he has not done that since the mid 90's in Houston. He has been specifically an outfielder since then, and even though he would be a bench player it would create more of a logjam in the outfield. Our starters for the season look to be McLouth, Moss, and Morgan. Add in Steve Pearce and Andrew McCutchen, who both will probably get time in Pittsburgh and it gets crowded. It might be different if it looked as though we could trade Gonzalez at the deadline, but Florida did not deal him last year so one would wonder if he would be tradeable.

I'd rather look at other options myself, namely someone who has proven to play multiple positions for our bench, and perhaps someone who is right handed.