Heading into the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Phillies have gone 1-6 since the All-Star Break. But that didn’t stop Ruben Amaro from buying!! A few minutes ago the Phillies officially signed 26 year old Cuban defector Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. He is a major league-ready right handed pitcher, who drew interest from several teams. From Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports on Twitter:
The Phillies beat out the Boston Red Sox for Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. Bidding went down to the wire tonight. More money won for Phils.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2013
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez: 6-2, 185, RHP. FB 91-94, tops out at 96. Cutter, splitter, change. Really impressed scouts, evaluators in workouts.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2013
This is big news for the Phillies, who have never spent big money on an international free agent. Gonzalez signs a 6 year, $50 million dollar contract (UPDATE: The original numbers reported were a little off. Officially the contract is 6 years, $48 million with a 7th year vesting option at $11 million) with Philadelphia. And I love this move.
This allows the Phillies to shop a guy like Cliff Lee (who they already have, according to rumors) or a Kyle Kendrick, who would get you much less return, and feel comfortable moving him as you have a solid arm to add to the rotation. Worst case scenario, Gonzalez can slide into Roy Halladay’s vacated spot next season and form a solid 1-4 with Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, and Kyle Kendrick. This is assuming they decide to move on from Roy Halladay.
This signing improves their team by adding a young, talented pitcher with a reasonable contract without losing draft picks for signing another teams’ free agent. You don’t lose any assets as you would through a trade, and the money doesn’t count towards the international cap since he is technically a free agent. Solid move Ruben. Now follow it up with several more!!
– LM