Brewers sign SS Alex Gonzalez (one year, plus vesting option)

[molitor fan]

Just reported via Rosenthal's twitter feed

 

Edit: 1 year with a vesting option per Rosenthal

[Invader3K]

Yeah, just saw that too. Turns out the guy on the JSOnline blog was right!

 

Sounds like it's one year with a vesting option.

 

And Brewerfan gives a collective sigh of relief! No more Yuni!

[wisniewski]

Hitting equivalent of Yuni, but defensively not even in the same universe. Huge defensive upgrade at SS.

[sheetswannabe]

Good signing, we needed to upgrade defense badly. Perfect guy for the 8th spot in the lineup. Now go get ARAM!

[The Truth]

I am extremely thankful that Yuni B will not be back!

[Invader3K]

I am extremely thankful that Yuni B will not be back!

Me too. I couldn't take another year of that swing that I describe as a "helicopter going down in flames."

[fondybrewfan]

Better than the alternative

 

We still have a crappy no hit SS with occasional power; but atleast this one can actually field his position.

[StearnsFTW]

Better than the alternative

 

We still have a crappy no hit SS with occassional power; but atleast this one can actually field his position.

Yep. And I'm holding out hope he can revert to his 2010 numbers hitting-wise, which were pretty darn good.

 

Edit: "Pretty darn good" is an overstatement. Let's just say I'd be happy with his 2010 numbers.

[wisniewski]

Good signing, we needed to upgrade defense badly. Perfect guy for the 8th spot in the lineup. Now go get ARAM!

Much like 95% of the board wanted Yuni gone, I want McGehee out of here in the worst way. He is simply awful.

[Funketown]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRoawtNmx0fWY7iLaQG-Ecp11-sATVjYTi1Lv0LTkeAhpmc4vqs

 

I know it's only Alex Gonzalez, but still. NO MORE YUNI!!!!

[SeriesFinale]

I'm embarrassed by how happy this signing makes me, but thus the power of YuniB

 

[fondybrewfan]

I guess why is everyone assuming that Taylor Green won't be given a shot to win the 3B job? In the past Melvin has said less than flattering things about Green but considering how McGehee hit last year you would think it would atleast be an open competition in ST.

[Invader3K]

I want McGehee out of here in the worst way. He is simply awful.

This past year he certainly was...but if he bounces back to 2009-2010 form, he's All-Star caliber.

[jjfanec]

I really like this signing. That shows how low my SS expectations have fallen since Hardy's All-star year

[PrinceEatMeat]

Perfect, no more Yuni. And defense. Success.

[GamelToe]

If we sign Aramis and Saito, I will say we've had a successful offseason. But, who knows if we've got the money.

[Oldcity]

I'm embarrassed by how happy this signing makes me, but thus the power of YuniB

 

 

My exact thought. Finally placing an emphasis on defense.

[jjfanec]

The Brewers pitching staff rejoices!

[craigharmann]

Oh my gosh, this is awesome!!! Not as awesome as Reyes or Rollins, but heck, it signals NO MORE YUNI!!! For that, we all rejoice!

[TooLiveBrew]

I feel like squealing. This is good, just a good sign that Melvin wasn't as blind to Betancourt's shortcomings as he sounded publicly. Surprise, surprise there with Melvin, I guess.

 

 

As has been pointed out, Gonzalez is basically Betancourt's equal at the plate. And not only is he not a black hole on defense, but he's actually a plus there. Nice to see an improvement at shortstop.

[Patrick425]

Gee....how exciting.

 

I guess it's getting to that time for all the rest of the teams to gather up the scraps in this wonderful system of MLB free agency.

[reillymcshane]

Gonzalez wasn't great by any means last year. I hope he can rebound a bit. He was really good in 2010 - a 3.4 WAR with 23 HR (it was 1.1 WAR in 2011).

 

I worry about his age - 35 in February.

 

Gotta be better than Yuni.

[MJLiverock]

What was with Gonzalez that he had a negative defensive rating last year? Getting old? Bad luck? Vagaries of the defensive rating system?

[chadomac]

Yeah, I'm pretty underwhelmed by this. I guess I'll appreciate the defense when I see it. There is no offense to appreciate.

[TooLiveBrew]

And there wasn't any last year, either. At least this season the shortstop will be able to do something well.