The Mariners released Gonzalez on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
The likelihood of MLB implementing extra roster spots for teams when the season resumes may have providing a slight boost to Gonzalez's chances of earning a spot with the Mariners, but the 34-year-old never looked to be a good fit on a rebuilding squad. Now released from his third team in just over a year, Gonzalez's time as a big-league player could be over.
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Mariners' Carlos Gonzalez: Likely to be left off team
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Gonzalez is unlikely to make the Mariners' roster out of spring training, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.
Gonzalez can opt out of his contract on the first of any month between April and August. The veteran slugger is likely to do so if he's officially left off Seattle's roster, which would make him a free agent eligible to sign with any club that has a spot for him.
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Mariners' Carlos Gonzalez: Path to roster spot opening up
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Gonzalez has a clear path to a roster spot as the Mariners' fourth outfielder after Jose Siri was claimed off waivers by the Giants and Braden Bishop was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
Gonzalez seemed to have found a prime landing spot when he signed with the Mariners as a non-roster invitee shortly before the start of camp, and that looks even more true following Tuesday's moves. While he's now likely to have a roster spot, that doesn't necessarily mean he's likely to be a fantasy asset. He's still not in line to start, and even if he was, he'll be playing in a tough home park on a team with a weak lineup, and he hasn't posted an above-average batting line since 2016.
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Mariners' Carlos Gonzalez: Gets opportunity with Mariners
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Gonzalez signed with the Mariners as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
The 34-year-old isn't close to the five-tool star he was at his peak. He's recorded below-average batting lines in three straight seasons and failed to stick with either the Indians or Cubs last season, hitting a combined .200/.289/.283 in 45 games. In theory, the Mariners could give Gonzalez plenty of opportunities early in order to showcase him for a trade to a contender, but they could also elect to play their younger options instead.
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Carlos Gonzalez: Not retiring yet
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Gonzalez intends to continue his playing career in 2020, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Gonzalez was forced to settle for a one-year, $2 million deal with the Indians last winter after back-to-back down years with the Rockies limited his value on the open market. Unsurprisingly, Gonzalez's fortunes didn't improve with the move away from Coors Field, but his performance was much worse than most probably envisioned. Between his unsuccessful stints with the Tribe and the Cubs, Gonzalez slashed just .200/.289/.283 and struck out in 31.3 percent of his 166 plate appearances before he was released for the second time of the season last July. Gonzalez's track record should be enough for him to land a minor-league deal if he's willing to accept one, but his declining bat and lack of defensive value will make it an uphill battle for him to earn an Opening Day roster spot with any team.
Gonzalez cleared waivers and elected free agency Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Gonzalez has now failed to stick with two teams this season, hitting a combined .200/.289/.283 in 45 games with the Cubs and Indians. There's no real reason to believe he'll be significantly better if he's able to find a job with another team.
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Designated for assigment
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Gonzalez was designated for assignment Saturday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
If Gonzalez clears waivers, the Cubs hope he will accept an assignment to Triple-A, but that would be his call. He had not been productive, hitting .127 with one home run and 24 strikeouts over his last 20 games (55 at-bats).
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: On bench again
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Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.
On the bench in a matchup versus a right-handed pitcher (Zack Wheeler) for the second time in three games, Gonzalez appears to have slipped into a fourth-outfielder role. Albert Almora will pick up a start in the outfield in Gonzalez's stead.
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Sitting Friday
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Gonzalez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.
Gonzalez has started just four of the Cubs' last 10 games. He's hit just .206/317/.353 in 12 games since joining the team. Kris Bryant will move out to right field in his absence Friday, with David Bote starting at third base.
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Retreats to bench
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Gonzalez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.
Gonzalez is hitting just .194 with a .652 OPS in 11 games since joining the Cubs. As such, he'll head to the bench for Wednesday's series finale against the White Sox as the Cubs go with an outfield consisting of Jason Heyward, Albert Almora and Kyle Schwarber (from right to left).
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Sitting against lefty
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Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
The Cubs will draw another lefty (Hyun-Jin Ryu) on Sunday, so Gonzalez will head to the bench for the second time in the series. The right-handed-hitting Albert Almora Jr. will enter the outfield while Gonzalez gets the night off.
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Sits again Friday
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Gonzalez remains on the bench Friday against the Dodgers.
Gonzalez has been out of the lineup for three of the last four games. Jason Heyward will play right field Friday, with Albert Almora in center.
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Situated on bench
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Gonzalez is not in the lineup Thursday against the Dodgers.
Gonzalez is slashing .261/.379/.478 with a homer and three RBI in seven games since joining the Cubs. He'll give way to Kris Bryant in right field for Thursday's series opener with southpaw Clayton Kershaw starting for the Dodgers.
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Doubles, scores twice in win
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Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Rockies.
Gonzalez, who spent the last 10 seasons in Colorado before starting 2019 with Cleveland, looked like his old potent self in the rout. The 33-year-old has now played seven games with the Cubs, going 6-for-23 with a home run, three doubles and six runs scored.
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Cubs' Carlos Gonzalez: Retreats to bench
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Gonzalez isn't in Tuesday's starting lineup against the Rockies.
Gonzalez went deep for his first home run as a Cub on Sunday, but after going 0-for-3 with a walk in Monday's series opener, he'll head to the bench. Jason Heyward starts in right field and is batting sixth in Gonzalez's stead.
