SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Carlos Gonzalez bounced into the Rockies’ spring training clubhouse at Salt River Fields on Thursday morning and the room lit up.
There were hugs and fist bumps shared with shortstop Trevor Story and outfielders David Dahl and Raimel Tapia before Gonzalez took his customary seat in the corner of the room. Looking happy and fit — his biceps are bulging after another offseason working out at the football-centric Tom Shaw Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. — Gonzalez was eager to start his ninth season with the Rockies.
“We’ve got work to do,” the All-Star right fielder said. “I am here to get better, and help this club. The (front office) is doing everything possible to make this team better with the great additions we had in the offseason. Hopefully we take that big step.”
Still, there remain questions about Gonzalez’s long-term future. Gonzalez, 31, is entering the final year of a seven-year, $80 million contract. What’s known is that he will receive $20 million this year. What’s unknown is where he will be later this season, or in 2018. Will the Rockies, who have a surplus of outfield talent, try to trade him before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline? Or will Gonzalez — through powerful agent Scott Boras — sign a deal that keeps him in Colorado for the rest of his career?
“Do you know what’s going to happen tomorrow? I don’t know,” CarGo said. “I might sign an extension … but I take it day by day now and I’m excited for this journey. It’s been the same situation for the past probably four to five years and I think it’s just part of my career. It’s a part of baseball.
“It’s not just me that’s going through this, so it’s something that I don’t pay attention to because obviously it’s going to be out there. But you know what, I am still here and I’m happy and I’m still wearing the Rockies’ uniform. For me that’s already a win, you know?”
New manager Bud Black said he doesn’t pay attention to the trade rumors.
“You’ve got to remember that, in regard to the rumors, the general manager or the organization doesn’t start these rumors. They are started from outside,” Black said. “They sort of get a life of their own. All I do know is that he wasn’t moved, he’s a Rockie, and we are happy about that.”
Gonzalez hit .298, swatted 24 home runs and laced a career-high 42 doubles in 150 games last season and was named an all-star for the third time. He believes he’s still in his prime.
In the past, Gonzalez frequently expressed his frustration that Colorado needed to improve its pitching to become a legitimate playoff contender. With a talented — albeit untested — young rotation in place, as well as the additions of veteran relievers Mike Dunn and Greg Holland, Gonzalez sees progress. If it appears that the Rockies are indeed becoming a playoff team, Gonzalez said that could impact contract negotiations with general manager Jeff Bridich.
“I mean, it’s already playing a part,” Gonzalez said. “You know Jeff and I already talked about it last year — about the future and all of that stuff. And I said, ‘Listen, man, what I’m seeing, I like it. There’s a lot of young talent here, there’s a lot of great players.’ I feel like they are going to take that big step and then give us an opportunity to compete and give us a smile on every face.
“I told Bridich, ‘That’s what I am looking for.’ I am looking for that more than anything else. As a team and as a player, that’s what you want for your teammates and for the team that you play for.”
Still, Gonzalez may have an opportunity to cash in on a big payday outside of Colorado. Does he want to give free agency a test drive?
“I feel like what’s most important is not money,” he said. “I don’t play for money, I play because I love the game. So I don’t really pay attention to whoever gets paid more or whatever. … I feel like I am who I am and I know what I can do on the field.
“I don’t have a number in my head. I’m not trying to be the highest-paid athlete in the world. I’d rather people tag me an underpaid athlete than the highest-paid athlete who is not doing well. That’s my main goal — I want to be healthy, I want to put up numbers, and then everything else I just leave to my agent; he knows how to handle it.”
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