Gonzalez moves again as Padres seek shortstop

By Jim Callis
September 16, 2004

For the second time this season, Alex Gonzalez has become a stopgap shortstop. At the end of July, he was a throw-in along with two prospects the Expos received in the four-team Nomar Garciaparra trade. With the Padres looking for help after losing Rookie of the Year candidate Khalil Greene to a broken right index finger for the remainder of the season, they acquired Gonzalez and cash considerations on Thursday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Gonzalez, 31, offers good pop for a shortstop and some defensive ability, but he doesn't hit for average and is too aggressive at the plate. Sidelined by a fractured right wrist for 10 weeks earlier this season, he has hit .229/.265/.374 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 72 games. For his career, he has batted .242/.303/.393 with 128 homers, 494 RBIs and 95 steals in 1,256 contests. He'll be a free agent when his four-year, $20 million contract expires at the end of the season.

Update: The Padres completed the trade by sending cash considerations to the Expos.