Alex Gonzalez a great defensive SS?

[Blitz Dorsey]

Maybe he's just had a rough first couple months, but Alex Gonzalez has been about average defensively thus far with the Reds. That's a far cry from the high praise I've heard him receive.

He can make the spectacular play, no doubt. But I see him miss far too many routine plays. He just seems to lack concentration at times.

Maybe I am being too harsh since I like the signing of Gonzo very much. But I would like to see him step it up big time defensively.

[Always Red]

Well, he's better than what we've had lately. I've generally been happy with his bat, he's made some great plays, and fumbled some he should have had.

I heard that Francona said he's the best SS he's ever seen. IF so, why didn't the BoSox resign him?

But he's not Dave Concepcion or Barry Larkin.

[edabbs44]

Just a flat out waste of $14 million.

[reds44]

Originally Posted by Always Red

Well, he's better than what we've had lately. I've generally been happy with his bat, he's made some great plays, and fumbled some he should have had.

I heard that Francona said he's the best SS he's ever seen. IF so, why didn't the BoSox resign him?

But he's not Dave Concepcion or Barry Larkin.

He can't hit.

He's playing bad D to compound it right now.

[CTA513]

Originally Posted by edabbs44

Just a flat out waste of $14 million.

Not nearly as bad as Milton.

[Always Red]

Originally Posted by reds44

He can't hit.

He's playing bad D to compound it right now.

Yeah, I know. Just like that 3B who got sent back to AAA...

He's hit well all year thus far, and he's been in a terrible slump (coming back to form?). In another thread I questioned why he's hitting above Dunn in the order. Gonzo is very streaky, he's either good or bad as a hitter, not steady at all.

He's been the best fielding SS this team has had since Barry Larkin.

He had a really good Ab in the first inning.

I was at the Reds-Astros game last Monday night; he hit two HR's into LF, where I was sitting. He can hit. Sometimes.

Chad Moeller can't hit. Jason LaRue can't hit.

Gonzo can hit sometimes; just like Edwin can hit, sometimes.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Yeah, I've been pleasently surprised with his hitting. I just think the talk of "best defensive shortstop I've ever seen (Francona)" was way overstated. And it wasn't just from Francona, others talked up his defense as well as not just being very good, but special. I just don't see it.

[Redsland]

Mostly average or so, but with an occasional web gem thrown in.

He's kind of like Castro. They both look like they play the position better than they do.

[edabbs44]

Originally Posted by CTA513

Not nearly as bad as Milton.

A waste is a waste.

[WMR]

"Dry land is not a myth!"

[Wheelhouse]

Cleveland has a nice team--the fans there are going to have a fun summer.

[blumj]

He did have a great defensive season last year, he's just not playing as well this season. Neither is Mike Lowell, BTW. Maybe, after being together for so long, they're both suffering from some kind of fielder's separation anxiety.

[CTA513]

Originally Posted by edabbs44

A waste is a waste.

Milton was the bigger waste.

[Mitri]

The Gonzalez money was not a waste and is absolutely the least of this team's worries right now. His defense is above average with a few really great plays a week thrown in. I'll take that, especially considering what the Reds have dealt with for the past six years or so added with what they have in the system. His bat has been much better than expected. We can't blame him for Narron's misplacement of him in the lineups.
Personally I'm glad he'll be around for the next few years and just hope somebody is added or developed in that span who can take his place.

[edabbs44]

Originally Posted by CTA513

Milton was the bigger waste.

Makes no difference and makes Gonzalez's money no better spent.

I guess Milton wasn't that bad when you look at Pavano?