Carlos Gonzalez’s contract with the Rockies expires after the 2017 season, and it sounds like the team doesn’t want him to go anywhere when it’s over.
The Rockies want to sign Gonzalez to an extension, according to Les Shapiro, who hosts the radio show Afternoon Drive on 104.7 FM/1340 AM. Shapiro said Wednesday that the Rockies have already “broached the subject” with their 30-year-old left fielder.
Shapiro added that if an extension does get done, it will likely have to a long-term one.
“I’m told by people close to the situation that CarGo would not be interested in signing, say, a two-year extension, even if it’s for somewhere around $25 million a year, which would be the going rate for someone of his caliber,” he said. “The reason for that is by the time that deal would be done, a short extension, he would be 32 or 33 years old, and the likelihood of anyone signing him to a five- or six-year deal then would be slim.”
Gonzalez has one year remaining on his current deal. He’s owed $20 million next season. He will turn 31 in October.
If you’re doing the thinking-face emoji in real life, you’re probably not alone.
Gonzlez is in the midst of another fine season. As of Thursday, he was slashing .303/.354/.531 with 24 home runs. But the Rockies have a younger, more talented player in 25-year-old Nolan Arenado who Colorado should prioritize before extending Gonzalez.
Shapiro had some interesting details about this angle as well. He said on-air that Arenado’s camp was “bewildered as to why the Rockies have not come to him already to sign him to an extension.”
The Rockies control Arenado’s contract through his age-28 season in 2019. He’s established himself as one of the best position players in baseball the last two seasons. He won a Gold Glove and smashed 42 home runs and 130 RBIs in 2015. He’ll almost assuredly win another Gold Glove this year and has a strong chance to reach those home run/RBI benchmarks once again.
Keeping Gonzalez around would be nice. But ensuring Arenado stays in Denver as long as possible is critical. General manager Jeff Bridich seems like a smart guy. Maybe he's planning to do both?
