As MLB’s nontender deadline approached, there was speculation the Pittsburgh Pirates could cut ties with Erik Gonzalez because he plays the one position with organizational depth.
Instead, the Pirates on Wednesday signed Gonzalez to a one-year contract for $1.225 million that made the veteran the frontrunner to be the starting shortstop in 2021. A source confirmed the terms of the deal to the Tribune-Review after the initial report by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Pirates also agreed to one-year contracts with right-handed starter Jameson Taillon ($2.25 million) and righty reliever Michael Feliz ($1 million). Taillon missed all of the 2020 season while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, and Feliz missed most of the season with an arm injury.
The Pirates nontendered right-handed relief pitcher Clay Holmes, who missed most of the season with an arm injury. First baseman Will Craig, who was designated for assignment, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis. The Pirates have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
Gonzalez, 29, was entering his second year of arbitration eligibility after his second season with the Pirates following three in Cleveland. He slashed .227/.255/.359 with 13 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 20 RBIs last season. After hitting .282 with seven doubles, three homers and 15 RBIs in August, Gonzalez batted .184 in September. But his slick defense provided an upgrade over Colin Moran while starting 12 games at third base and then Kevin Newman while starting 38 at shortstop.
Now, the return of Gonzalez leaves the Pirates with a crowded middle infield.
They also return former first-round picks at shortstop in Newman and Cole Tucker. Newman played 23 games at shortstop and 20 games at second base, where Adam Frazier was a Gold Glove finalist for the second consecutive season. The Pirates experimented with Tucker in the outfield, where he played 20 games in center and 12 in right.
Three of the team’s top five prospects — No. 1 Nick Gonzales, No. 3 Oneil Cruz and No. 5 Liover Peguero — also play shortstop, although Gonzales was moved to second base shortly after being selected No. 7 overall in the MLB Draft.
