NewsSox decline option for Gonzalez
Boston may still have interest in bringing back shortstop
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
11/08/09 9:46 PM EST
BOSTON -- The Red Sox haven't ruled out bringing back shortstop Alex Gonzalez for the 2010 season, but they did decline his $6 million option, according to Major League sources.This means that Gonzalez is now a free agent, with the Red Sox giving him a $500,000 buyout. Boston could make an attempt to bring the defensively gifted shortstop back, but at a reduced rate.
After serving a one-year stint with Boston in 2006, Gonzalez was re-acquired this past Aug. 14 and provided just the type of stability the Red Sox needed down the stretch.
Gonzalez made just one error over 44 games and contributed more than expected with his bat, hitting .284 with five home runs.
Jed Lowrie, who was projected as a strong candidate to start at short in 2009 before undergoing left wrist surgery in April, is still in the fold. But general manager Theo Epstein said after the season ended that the club was not in the position where it could go into the winter counting on Lowrie as the primary option.
Gonzalez, 32, is a career .247 hitter who was an All-Star in 1999 and won a World Series with the Marlins in '03.
While the decision has been made not to pick up Gonzalez's option, the Red Sox have a Monday deadline of revealing their plans on some other players.
There is no question that the Red Sox will pick up catcher Victor Martinez's $7 million option. In fact, don't be surprised if the club discusses a longer-term deal with Martinez at some point this winter.
It is all but certain the Red Sox will decline their $5 million option on catcher Jason Varitek. However, the captain has a $3 million player option that he must exercise by the end of the week.
There seems to be little question that Boston will pick up knuckleballer Tim Wakefield's annual option of $4 million. The pitcher is said to be doing well after undergoing minor back surgery.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
