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Atlanta Braves free agent profile: Carlos Gonzalez

By Benjamin Chase

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 30: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 30: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 04: Grrardo Parra #8 of the Colorado Rockies rounds third base to score on a Carlos Gonzalez 2 RBI single in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field on August 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Cost

While there is definitely concern about trusting Gonzalez with 150 games and 600 plate appearances outside of Colorado, he could be a very intriguing piece.

MLB Trade Rumors did not rank Gonzalez among their top 50 free agents. Gonzalez is coming off a one-year, $5 million deal with the Rockies. Colorado is moving on, so Gonzalez won’t be returning there.

With Adam Duvall on board with an ability to handle lefties well, Gonzalez and Duvall as a platoon in the outfield could be a very intriguing platoon. It would be a power-focused platoon, but Duvall’s career line of .231/.312/.449 against LHP along with Gonzalez’s recent line against RHP of .280-.285/.340-.350/.475-.490 would be an impressive platoon.

Most likely the Atlanta Braves would be able to make a move for Gonzalez for a single year for $3-5 million base salary with incentives based on games played and awards voting.

That sort of deal would also allow the Atlanta Braves to consider a move in the summer in the case that Duvall and Gonzalez are not suitable in the outfield, possibly trading for a big bat midseason for the outfield with the salary flexibility.

Next. What we know after winter meetings. dark

Carlos Gonzalez would not be a primary move by any means this offseason for the Atlanta Braves, but if he ended up in the outfield, hitting in the 5 or 6 hole on most days, the team could have a fairly solid value on their hands.

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