December 7th, 2017 at 10:15 am 
by Ron Cervenka Quick – Who will be the Dodgers everyday first baseman in 2018?
How about 2019 or 2020?
The answer is blatantly obvious. It will be 22-year-old 2017 NL Rookie of the Year first baseman Cody Bellinger. In fact, barring injuries, it is quite possible that Bellinger will be the Dodgers everyday first baseman until he becomes a free agent in 2024, perhaps even beyond.
There is an exceptionally good chance that Bellinger will be the Dodgers everyday first baseman for a very long time. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
So what, then, do the Dodgers do with 14-year MLB veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who turns 36 years old on May 8, in 2018 – the final year of his 7-year / $154 million contract and for which he will be paid $21.5 million even if he never steps onto the field?
The simple answer is, of course, trade him. But the problem with this is two-fold. What team out there would want to take on a soon-to-be 36-year-old first baseman with a (recent) history of back problems and, more importantly, what team out there would be willing to do so for $21.5 million? And this doesn’t take into account that the five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover winner and two-time Silver Slugger winner has a two-team no trade clause in his current contract.
The answer again is blatantly obvious? No one. As such, the question remains: What do the Dodgers do with Adrian Gonzalez in 2018?
This answer is a bit more complicated. Who knows?
There is zero doubt that the extremely popular 6′-2″ / 215-pound San Diego, California native and number one overall pick if the 2000 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California would be a perfect designated hitter for just about any American League team. The problem, once again, is that there (probably) isn’t an American League team out there willing to pay him $21.5 million to do so. Granted, AGon most certainly can still play first base and might even be an upgrade for many AL teams, but for $21.5 million?
Although Gonzalez would make a great designated hitter for almost any AL team, the lofty $21.5 million that he is owed in 2018 will probably prevent that from happening. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Simply put, the Dodgers are on the hook to pay the veteran first baseman in what will undoubtedly be the final season of his Hall of Fame career – period. This again barring an injury to Bellinger.
There is one other possibility. Retirement.
For those who know Gonzalez on a more personal level, they know that in addition to being a future Hall of Fame first baseman, he is incredibly smart. And there is absolutely no one more aware of his current situation than he himself. And for as crazy as it may sound to simply walk away from a guaranteed $21.5 million dollars, if anyone would be willing to do it, it would be AGon. But why on earth would he or should he? As such and if he were agreeable to it, perhaps the Dodgers should have a closed-door meeting with the veteran and try to come to a mutual agreement for a non-publicized ‘parting gift’ for less than the $21.5 million that they already owe him.
Then again, would you?
Stay tuned…
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He’s not a future Hall of Famer. Maybe without the shoulder issue he had a while back but it’s not happening. The only way Gonzalez gets moved is if he gets sent to Miami in a Stanton deal and he’s promised a release by Miami. He’s got 10/5 rights and he isn’t going to want to sit on the bench in Miami anymore than in LA.
Agreed, Gonzalez doesn’t want to sit on the bench, but I don’t see anyone giving Gonzalez an outright release.
I just got done reading about Rafael Palmeiro, who is 53 and is thinking about trying to make a comeback. Gonzalez, who is 36 doesn’t think he is finished and is probably even thinking about his next contract. These guys always think they got a lot left and maybe Gonzalez does, especially as a Designated Hitter.
How about rather than a promised release, Dodgers and Marlins burn up the phones to find a American League team (Yankees) who could use a 1st baseman/DH like Gonzalez for about $5M to 10M. Maybe Gonzalez waves the 5/10 right, knowing Marlins are going to flip him to a good situation. Under this scenario, Dodgers get $21.5 salary relief and Miami is only out the difference between $21.5 and whatever the other team is willing to pay.
Hang tough Stanton, Dodgers want you.
Not even close to a future Hall of Famer. Two ex-Dodger first basemen with superior careers aren’t in the HOF (Garvey and Hodges).
Yes, he’s smart. that’s why he won’t retire since he’ll get $21.5 million for riding the pine. (or plane to Italy).
I’m fairly sure if the Dodgers did work an under-the table parting financial agreement in exchange for A-Gon’s retirement, the Commissioner’s office would be slamming them very hard with penalties and/or sanctions. Don’t even want to go there.
Even if Gonzalez is healthy enough to be a part time first baseman/pinch hitter will it be with the Dodgers, or is he persona non grata amongst his teammates? According to a Nov. 14 LA Times article several Dodgers complained about Agon working out with team before WS games 2 and 3 with Dave Roberts asking him to no longer work out and to watch the WS from a suite rather than dugout. Recent report that Agon will be playing competitive baseball in the Mexican Winter League for last couple of weeks in December. My guess, he wants to convince other teams that he can still play the game and is hoping/expecting the Dodgers will eventually release him so he can join the Padres at the ML minimum.
Hadn’t heard that SCB. Certainly another option. Hate to see any team having to eat that much money though … well, except for the Giants.
Gonzalez is an over the hill player with a bad contract but a Hall of Famer, no way.