Is it fair for Arizona to just drop Gonzo like that?

Question

I'm not a D-Backs fan, and I know it's also a business, but do you think it's fair for Arizona to just drop Luis Gonzalez like they did after he has become their all-time leader in hits, homers, and RBIs? After he had the game-winning hit to bring them their ONLY championship? All in favor of a "youth movement?" You still have to have a veteran-type presence in the clubhouse...should they have kept him at least for that? I just thought it was extemely disrespectful to him...what do you think?

Answer 1

Like you said, it is business, but it is bad PR to drop the player that's been the face of the diamondacks. He was even willing to negotiate his salary in order to play next year with them. Would it really kill the team to let him finish his career with them? I'm a very big fan of the d-backs, but have lost a lot of respect for their new owners.

Answer 2

Of course it's fair, given that they've been paying him $10 million a year for a player who's now a shadow of his own self. Just as players have a right to do what's best for them, so do the teams.

As for needing a veteran in the clubhouse, I'm not sure how true that really is. Young teams - like the 2006 Marlins - seem to do fine without a 40-year-old anchor sucking up payroll and a spot in the locker room. It's nothing against Gonzo, but he hasn't really been earning his check the past couple of seasons.

The Diamondbacks are trying to build for the future, and that unfortunately means not spending millions on a guy who wouldn't help you even if you had a shot, and they can't be faulted for that. If he wants to keep playing, I'm sure Gonzo can sign elsewhere for less, and I'm sure that he'll remember his Arizona days fondly.

Answer 3

Well they have to take care of business!!! It is sad though cuz i guess u could say that Gonzalez (even though I dont like him or the team) was the team, I watched the W.S game against the yankees & it was him that had the game winning hit. . . . oh well, later "Gonzo", but Im quite sure he'll have no problem signing with a new team. he is a good player,

Answer 4

I hadn't heard that they dropped him. That's kind of sad. There was no one cheering more against the D-Backs more than me during their World Series Championship run. I had lived in Phoenix from 92 thru 04 and I have to say that the fans in Phoenix are the worst! They really only cheer for any team that is doing well. That's it. So I made the Cardinals my adopted team. I agree with you though, it's veteran leadership that helps build, mold the younger team to form a bond, a camaraderie, that brings the team together.

Answer 5

Well unfortunately and as you stated Baseball "IS" a business. That was a business decision albeit an unpopular one. It was very similar to the Yankees telling Bernie Williams hes wasn't wanted any longer as the starter in center field. Sentimental favorites shouldn't disappear they should fade away.

Answer 6

Was it fair for the Mets not to re-sign Piazza? Baseball is business there is no loyalty no matter how good a player was or is.

Answer 7

I think it was either Branch Rickey or George Weis who said its better to let a player go a year early than a year late.

Answer 8

They were respectful enough to tell him about their position before the season was over. I think they handled it well and will be surprized if Gonzo has anything negative to say about it.

Answer 9

He's old and off the steroids. If the Patriots have taught us one thing, it's don't get emotionally attached to players. They don't care about the fan anyways

Answer 10

For $10 million it is.