After the Orioles sent George Sherrill to the Dodgers for Josh Bell and Steve Johnson, the big question was “who becomes the Orioles closer?” The easy move for the club was to transition Jim Johnson, the Birds set up man, to close out ball games. Unfortunately, that transition wasn’t as easy as everyone anticipated. Johnson struggled in the role, he pitched to a 10.61 ERA with just three saves in September.
During the offseason the Orioles took care of the closer dilemma before pitchers and catchers reported, even before Christmas, by signing Mike Gonzalez from the Atlanta Braves to a 2 year, $12 million deal.
Gonzalez has a 2.57 career earned run average and 54 saves in his seven years in the bigs. Prior to spending time in Atlanta, he pitched four years with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he posted a 2.37 ERA and 28 saves.
Along the way, Gonzalez has been sidelined with injuries and undergone Tommy John Surgery. In 2006 Gonzalez had converted all of his 24 save opportunities, but was forced to end his season early due to an elbow injury. Then in 2007 he was placed on the Braves disabled list with a left elbow strain, which led to his eventual surgery. Gonzalez returned on June 18, 2008 and pitched a perfect 9th inning against the Texas Rangers. In 2009 Gonzalez made a success full season return baseball in which he appeared in 80 games pitching 74.1 innings.
I had a chance to listen to Gonzalez speak at Orioles Fan Fest and his personality seems to be a perfect fit here in Baltimore. He commended the Orioles young talent and spoke about his desire to get to know his team mates and most importantly to win.
In his spring debut, Gonzalez allowed a run and walked one against his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. “My arm felt great, and I got out of it healthy; that’s all you can ask for,” Gonzalez told the Baltimore Sun.
How do you think Mike Gonzalez will fare in his first year as the Orioles closer?
I was there for Fanfest too and heard Gonzo speak. I love the guy’s attitude and really think he’ll be a leader in that bullpen. I just hope he can stay healthy as it sounds as if that has been his only issue.
I wouldn't be too worried about his health. In my research for this article it looked like two elbow injuries, then Tommy John surgery. He played very well last season and every time he's consistently been on the field he performs well.
Here we go…. STD, why don't you wait to see what the guy does for the Orioles before you proclaim him President of the US… This is what kills me with you clowns, just like the minor leaguers… Before you anoint them why don't you let them play a game! I mean, Arrieta puts his pants on right leg first and your ready to make him the #1 Starter….
I agree with Pole, these clowns don't let anything play out before they anoint these guys Hall of Famers… Freaking crack addicts!
Not sure how "I love the guy's attitude" and I "think he'll be a leader" in any way annointed him. But I guess in Ravens2488 world, it does…
BTW, to Ravens2488's handler, please do not read this part to him…
You see guys, 2488 can't read and his mental capacity is limited. His handler types e-mails for him and types them verbatim, thus the reason you sometimes read off-the-wall nonsense e-mails. He's a nice guy, but he wears a football helmet most places that he goes.
I don't think "I love the guy's attitude and really think he'll be a leader in that bullpen," is proclaiming him President of the US, Stank.
Gonzo speaks and STD is sitting there with his head in his hands, little hearts floating above his head, and because he spoke STD anoints him Hall of Fame material…
There's a reason Gonzo, as you call him, played for 3 teams in 8 years… He's 14-16 with 54 saves, with a season high of 24 and you have him being the next Mariano Rivera…
If Atlanta let this guy go then that should tell you he's not Rollie Fingers…
I'm not saying he's a bum just tired of your overhyping players because they spoke to you or they have hemmorroids.
"Love the guy's attitude" = over hyping
"think he'll be a leader in the bullpen" = overhyping…
Wow…
Let me take it back, then if that is the case. I didn't mean to over sell him.
I'm sorry.
3 teams in 8 years is a lot? Also the record for a closer or any reliever for that matter, is a stupid stat. Look at ERA, which you didn't mention in your comment above. I'll put it here for you.
2.57 career earned run average
2.42 in 2009
He's only had 2 seasons above a 2.7 ERA.
No one is anointing him, just looking forward to having a consistent closer in Baltimore.
Now we have "Zach" calling certain stats stupid because they don't make his player look good… Thats it "Zach" pick and choose the numbers you want and that player will be Hall of Fame caliber… Go back outside its your turn for hopscotch.
STD – You said "I love the guy's attitude and really think he'll be a leader in that bullpen". The guy opens his mouth and says "I love you" and you have him being a leader in the bullpen. Thats what the heck I'm talking about. You never let a guy throw or hit before you anoint him. You base their future greatness on whether they wear red shoes or have a mullet or something goofy…
Also STD goof, its not a football helmet its called a "Skull Safety Guard" and I use it because I have a tender spot in my head that makes my skull look larger on one side of my head then the other.
Stank,
No one has mentioned HOF but you. Some people think wins and losses are even a poor way of judging starting pitchers, everyone knows it's a bad way to judge relief pitchers. I just found it funny that you failed to mention the guy's ERA. Was that because it was low?
No Zach, it was because, like you, I thought that was a stupid stat and shouldn't be mentioned…
ERA was a stupid stat?
Zach,
Sorry, I mistakenly told Ravens2488 that you said "NRA", not ERA. My bad. I will re-read your e-mail to him and see what his take is now that I have the right acronym.
ERA would seem to be a big stat. Sorry for the confusion!
Thanks for the clarification!
I'm not going to give these new guys much props until the season starts and we see what they can do. The O's haven' had a very good record when it comes to bringing in talent and having it pay dividends. Lets not get too excited early on because this is a long grueling season.
Again, Pole, not sure that anyone in this post has ballyhooed Gonzo as the next Mariano Rivera. We've talked about the fact that he seemed to have a good attitude and he could be a leader. You're reading Ravens2488 comments and taking them out of context.
No, I'm just stating that I will have a wait and look attitude. Honestly, we need some leadership on this team but I'm hoping he brings more than that.