Baltimore Orioles Trade Alex Gonzalez for Steve Lombardozzi
Apr 15, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Stephen Lombardozzi throws over to first base in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Orioles this morning have traded 37-year-old veteran infielder to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for 25-year-old Steve Lombardozzi. The deal was first tweeted by Dan Connelly of the Sun, and others are confirming it as the morning moves along. To make room for Lombardozzi on the 40-man roster, catcher Johnny Monell has been designated for assignment.
Gonzalez has been one of the more interesting storylines of the spring season for the Orioles – hitting well and showing that he still has some good baseball in him. Here are his spring numbers …
G |
PA
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
12
30
28
4
12
1
0
2
6
2
4
.429
.467
.679
1.145
Gonzalez’ career numbers are not overwhelming with only a .246 average and .290 OBP, and nothing even that good has happened very recently. Last year he hit only .177 in 41 games for the Brewers, and in 2013 he only played in 24 games. He does have 129 career homers.
The Tigers have been in the market for a shortstop since Jose Iglesias might be out for the season. Gonzalez’ spring has really been outstanding, but will this really be an answer for them?
Orioles fans are at least somewhat familiar with Lombardozzi from his previous tenure with the Nationals. He is a pretty solid utility infielder. Here are his spring numbers …
Year |
Tm
Age
G
PA
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
SB
CS
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
2014DET
25
14
41
39
5
9
0
0
0
5
6
0
1
1
.231
.244
.231
.475
And here are his career stats …
Year |
Age
Tm
Lg
G
PA
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
SB
CS
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
2011
22
WSNNL
13
32
31
3
6
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
4
.194
.219
.226
.445
2012
23
WSNNL
126
416
384
40
105
16
3
3
27
5
3
19
46
.273
.317
.354
.671
2013
24
WSNNL
118
307
290
25
75
15
1
2
22
4
3
8
34
.259
.278
.338
.616
3 Yrs
257
755
705
68
186
32
4
5
50
9
6
28
84
.264
.297
.342
.639
Lombardozzi is a Maryland native, having come from Howard County and gone to Atholton High School. His father played for the Minnesota Twins and is now the baseball coach at Good Counsel High School.
This looks like a great trade … too good in fact, and as Ken Rosenthal tweeted while I am writing this piece …
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal – Difficult to grasp Lombardozzi-for-A. Gonzalez for #Tigers unless DET getting another piece. Lombo solid UTL. AGon is 37, 65G last 2 years.
So, Lombardozzi could well be the starting second baseman a week from today, with Flaherty at third. This buys time for Manny Machado to return, and provides two options at second base – RH and LH – when he does. Last year for the Nationals, Lombardozzi played 2B, 3B, and LF. He was traded to the Tigers in December along with Robbie Ray and Ian Krol for Doug Fister.
The more I write about this, the more I am liking it. This looks great! It does, however, seem to reveal that Jonathan Schoop is targeted for more sharpening at AAA.
More details will be coming out on this later, so stay tuned.