Monday, March 28, 2005
He'll receive an extra $500,000 for winning the right field position.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Juan Gone isn't going anywhere.
Juan Gonzalez will begin the 2005 season as Cleveland's starting right fielder, returning to the spot where he had one of his most productive years and adding a powerful bat to the Indians' lineup.
"Juan brings us a presence in the middle of our lineup, and that's something that can't be underestimated," Indians manager Eric Wedge said Sunday. "I hope it makes the team better and him better."
In making Cleveland's opening-day roster, Gonzalez earned a $500,000 bonus and he can make an additional $1.95 million if he reaches incentives based on plate appearances and overall days on the active roster.
Sizemore to Buffalo
Gonzalez's surprising addition also means that Grady Sizemore will begin the year at Triple-A Buffalo. Sizemore batted .291 with one homer and 10 RBIs this spring, but struck out 14 times in 55 at-bats.
"I'm not happy about it," said a downcast Sizemore, who was optioned to Buffalo. "I went out and played as hard as I could. I knew they had a decision to make, I just didn't know which way it was going to go."
While the 22-year-old Sizemore is a better fit with Cleveland's collection of young players, his resume is no match for Gonzalez, a two-time AL MVP who when healthy is still one of the game's most feared hitters.
Injury prone of late
But Gonzalez's problem is that he hasn't been able to stay on the field. In the past three seasons, he has played in just 185 games -- 33 with Kansas City a year ago because of a bad back.
"The only pressure I have on me is the injuries," he said. "Everything is stay healthy. When I'm healthy, everyone has seen my numbers."
In recent days, general manager Mark Shapiro and Wedge seemed to be split over what to do with Gonzalez. The club signed Gonzalez to a free-agent, minor league deal for only $100,000 in January not knowing what to expect from the 35-year-old. A three-time All-Star, his bat speed had slowed in the past few seasons and he couldn't stay off the disabled list. There was speculation that he might be finished.
But other than a minor setback with a strained hamstring earlier this month, Gonzalez has been everything the club could have hoped for.
Blends in well
He appears to have blended in well in Cleveland's close-knit clubhouse, which was a must for Wedge, who was concerned about Gonzalez's reputation for not always playing through minor injuries, being moody and selfish.
Gonzalez hasn't played more than 82 games since 2001. But just by having him name on the lineup card -- he'll bat fifth -- or standing in the on-deck circle improves a Cleveland team that had seven players drive in more than 70 runs apiece a year ago.
The Indians aren't taking a huge financial risk or compromising their future by keeping Gonzalez. If he breaks down, they can always recall Sizemore or wait for Jody Gerut, who should be back from knee surgery in June.