Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez Open to Contract Extension, Position Change

Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is currently scheduled to become a free agent after the 2017 season, but he would like to remain in Colorado for the future, according to Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post.

“If you would have asked me early in the year, I would have told you I’m going to wait until I hit free agency and see what’s out there,” said Gonzalez. “But this is a good team. It’s a different feeling. Now I see how guys react in tough situations. We understand we can win. That’s huge for any team, when you trust and believe you can win.”

The Rockies will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season this year, but things are starting to look up in Colorado. Nolan Arenado has continued to be a monster this season, Trevor Story has put together a solid rookie season despite injury, and Jon Gray and Tyler Chatwood both profile as promising young pitchers.

Gonzalez is also open to moving to first base if the Rockies ask him too:

“I feel like I’m still a good outfielder and can help the team defensively,” he said. “But if first base is what’s best for the team, I will be good with that … In the long run, it’s probably going to extend my — or anybody’s — career if you play first base. And it won’t be a crazy move.”

1st base has been a revolving door for Colorado this season. Ben Paulsen, Mark Reynolds, and Gerardo Parra have all played the position, so you can see why the Rockies may consider moving him to first.

If Gonzalez does indeed move to first base, it will give the Rockies an infield of him at first, D.J. LeMahieu at second base, Story at shortstop, and Arenado at third. Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl will be two of the three outfielders if Gonzalez shifts to 1st, while Raimel Tapia could also end take the third outfield job.

Gonzalez is batting .298/.350/.507 with 25 homers and 100 RBIs this season.

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