Yankees are just one of Pirates' options with Gonzalez Team sees Braves, Red Sox in trade mix, too
Monday, December 18, 2006 By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Whether Mike Gonzalez opens the 2007 season with a tomahawk across his chest or draped in pinstripes, this much is certain: His profile has been raised quite a bit this offseason.
His name was buzzed throughout Major League Baseball's winter meetings two weeks ago, when the Pirates and Atlanta Braves discussed an ill-fated deal that would have brought first baseman Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh. The Boston Red Sox were after him, too, at one point engaging the Pirates and Braves with a three-team trade scenario.
And now, Gonzalez is becoming a mainstay on New York's back pages.
Beginning with a New York Post article eight days ago that described the Yankees' possible interest in Gonzalez, then mushrooming into another possible three-team trade involving Atlanta, then diminishing to focus solely on the Yankees and Pirates, the story has sprouted in some form or other in all of that city's dailies.
This is what is known on the Pirates' end of the matter, according to multiple sources:
General manager Dave Littlefield's priority remains finding a way to acquire LaRoche, 27, who had 32 home runs and 90 RBIs last season and would more than fit their bill for a young, left-handed power hitter. Atlanta still would welcome the addition of Gonzalez, even after acquiring setup man Rafael Soriano from the Seattle Mariners, but the Braves want more to part with LaRoche because their backup at first base, Scott Thorman, is no known commodity.
The odds still favor Atlanta making a deal with the Los Angeles Angels rather than the Pirates, as the Angels would be better able to fill the Braves' need for a leadoff-hitting second baseman.
The Pirates and Yankees have engaged in feeler-type talks regarding Gonzalez, but there is no firm word from Pittsburgh or Atlanta -- counter to the reports out of New York -- that those have included the Braves or any third party. Rather, they are focused on a deal that would send Gonzalez to New York for outfielder Melky Cabrera and another player, likely a pitching prospect.
It is not the first time the Pirates have inquired about Cabrera, 22, who hit .280 with seven home runs and 50 RBIs in 460 at-bats last season. He was the focus of their July talks with the Yankees that ultimately led to the Craig Wilson-Shawn Chacon trade.
One source in New York yesterday described the Pirates' interest in Cabrera as intense.
Boston is not yet of the mix, even after the Red Sox acquired relievers Brendan Donnelly and J.C. Romero in the past week. The view there is that general manager Theo Epstein is adding relievers to bolster his chance of acquiring a closer. Neither Donnelly nor Romero is seen as filling that role.
Still, Boston does not have a match for the Pirates' desired left-handed power hitter, which is one reason the Red Sox were part of three-way talks.
Concerns about Gonzalez's health were diminished after he had another physical last Monday in Pittsburgh and was given another clean bill. Gonzalez missed the final five weeks of last season to elbow tendinitis, which raised a red flag from Atlanta at the winter meetings.
No deal on any front appears imminent, though some expect the Pirates to make some type of move involving Gonzalez before the end of the year.
Certainly, with Romero and Donnelly, Boston's bullpen is a bit more formidable. However, I do think that Papelbon is going to fall flat on his face as a starter (ala our own Mariano Rivera's unsuccessful stint as a starter before being moved to set up for John Wettelend). Sure, he's got some exceptional pitches, but he's going to get a wake-up call when batters see him 3 or 4 times a game, as opposed to what he currently pitches. Boston needs a closer in the worst way, and Gonzalez is quite good, so I'd rather see him end up in pinstripes as a lefty alternative to Farnsworth.
