Report: Twins land Marwin Gonzalez on 2-year, $21M deal
The Minnesota Twins and utility man Marwin Gonzalez agreed to a two-year, $21-million deal on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN after Jon Heyman of MLB Network broke the news.
The reported deal is pending a physical and the team plans to play him at multiple positions, according to Heyman - including shortstop.
Gonzalez, 29, will receive $12 million this year and $9 million in 2020, a source told The Associated Press.
The Twins already added sluggers Nelson Cruz, C.J. Cron, and Jonathan Schoop this winter to help a young core featuring Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, and Byron Buxton.
Minnesota also made a managerial change after the club failed to meet expectations last season, replacing Paul Molitor with Rocco Baldelli.
The Twins finished 78-84 in 2018 after reaching the American League wild-card game in 2017. Their revamped lineup could potentially challenge the Cleveland Indians for the AL Central crown.
Following the reported agreement, Gonzalez's former Houston Astros teammates shared their thoughts on Twitter:
Good luck and CONGRATS to one of the most underrated players in the history of baseball. Your impact on our club house and team will be lasting. One of the most clutch hitters and best defenders around. @marwinGF9 congrats my brother! https://t.co/iMgcjlIsWq
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@LMcCullers43) February 22, 2019
Love you Marwin! Congrats @marwinGF9 https://t.co/L63QGDqGH6
— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) February 22, 2019
Breaking news: I still miss @marwinGF9 and will continue to miss him while he’s in his new uni
— Dallas Keuchel (@kidkeuchy) February 22, 2019
Gonzalez hit 16 home runs and slashed a modest .247/.324/.409 in 145 games last season for the Astros. However, the Venezuelan hit 23 homers with 90 RBIs and a .907 OPS in 2017 while helping Houston win the World Series.