Rumors have been flying about him since the trade deadline last July. Padre fans, as well as the San Diego media, sat on the edge of their seats as the hours and minutes ticked away, wondering if Adrian Gonzalez was about to be traded.
The deadline came, and the news that followed shocked everybody when it was learned that it was Jake Peavy that had been dealt and not Gonzalez.
Now that the offseason is in full swing, the Gonzalez rumors have started to fly once more—though this time they don't involve the Boston Red Sox.
Corey Brock of MLB.com talked about an Internet rumor that came a week ago that might have legs.
According to this rumor, the Padres have been in discussions with the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles (don't call me Anaheim) Angels. The deal would send White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko and a handful of prospects from both teams to San Diego.
Where the Angels come in on this deal is not clear, though they will be looking for a DH once outfielder Vladimir Guerrero hits free agency after this season. They could find that DH in Juan Rivera, opting to keep Gonzalez and his Gold Glove defense at first base.
As for Gonzalez himself, he seems to think that he's in a good position whatever happens.
"If I get to stay here with the Padres and stay in my hometown and live here at home and be with these great fans and great city, then I'm in a winning situation," he told Brock. "If I end up getting traded, I'm getting traded to a team that more than likely will be in the playoffs and will be contending for a World Series title."
There's been no word out of the Padres' camp of the validity of the rumor, though the team has been known to be quiet about potential trades. That was evident when Peavy was traded, as there were no rumors, or any talk at all, that there could be a trade in the works for the right-hander.
The Padres are in the driver's seat with any deal that they are approached with. They are in no way obligated to trade their star first baseman, and they have no problem hanging on to him and possibly working on a long-term extension.
Don't count out the Boston Red Sox in any deal. They made their interest known prior to the deadline last year, and there's no doubt they'll have it on their mind when the Winter Meetings get underway on Dec. 7.
For San Diego, they would have to sell their fans on the players they get in return if they were to trade Gonzalez, the current face of the franchise, especially after the heat the team took after not re-signing Trevor Hoffman and trading Jake Peavy—neither of which went over real well with the Padre fans.
If a deal is made, the Padres would have to be absolutely overwhelmed with the players they'd be getting in return. It's the exact reason a deal wasn't struck before the deadline last season because San Diego wasn't getting back what they wanted.
With Kevin Towers no longer the general manager and Jed Hoyer stepping into his spot, there's no telling what kind of package the new regime will be looking for. One thing is for sure: The team will be all too happy to have Gonzalez on their Opening Day roster.
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