Recently there have been trade rumors circulating the Internet involving Adrian Gonzalez moving from San Diego to the White Sox.
The Sox acquired Jake Peavy from the Padres last year before the trade deadline on July 31, 2009. Now it appears that Peavy is lobbying for GM Kenny Williams to strongly pursue his former teammate, Gonzalez. Peavy said that Gonzalez "can blink his eyes and hit 40 home runs in our park".
Knowing that the one thing the Sox lack in their lineup is a true left-handed power bat, Gonzalez seems to be the perfect fit in Chicago. But, of course, teams just don't give these stud players away. In a trade, both teams have to give something up. The recent rumors have it that the Sox would have to trade Gordon Beckham to get Gonzalez.
Trading Beckham is unlikely because Kenny Williams has shown all the indications necessary that Beckham is untouchable. Yet, some of these articles online are confident that Williams will part ways with Beckham if it meant getting Gonzalez. So, if Williams did trade the second baseman, would it be the right move?
No.
Here's why.
Gordon Beckham is one of the best up-and-coming young stars in the league. He has the capability to make the All-Star team as early as this year. He's only 23 and had 28 doubles and 63 RBIs last year in 103 games as a rookie.
He's a player that can hit 30 HRs and 100 RBIs with a .300 average, year in and year out, especially when he hits his prime. He is also a good fielder. Don't look at his low fielding percentage last year. He was a rookie that was at third base for the first time in his career. He has talent when it comes to offense and defense.
Adrian Gonzalez would likely have a great year with the Sox in 2010. He hit 40 HRs last season in Petco Park. If he was in the cell he wouldn't have to try very hard to hit 50 or more HRs. He's also under contract for 2011 and he can be expected to put up the same, maybe better, numbers.
But that's a big problem. Gonzalez is only locked up for two more years, while Beckham is locked up for six more. Gonzalez could easily walk after 2011 and go to a team that will pay him ridiculous money. The Sox already have a lot of money invested in Rios and Peavy with their huge contracts. They probably won't have the cash to sign a huge deal with Gonzalez after 2011.
Are we really going to trade six years of Beckham for two years of Gonzalez? That's not something that I like the looks of.
People are saying that getting Gonzalez would greatly improve the lineup, which is obvious. But it only puts the team over the top—a World Series contender—if both Gonzalez and Beckham are in the lineup. If Gonzalez comes but Beckham leaves, the lineup is only so much better. That trade would not make the Sox a championship contending team.
For those who think the Sox right now are a championship contending team, then this trade doesn't need to happen.
Bottom line is, I would love to see Adrian Gonzalez on the South Side. I would be all for Kenny trading all of our prospects for Gonzalez, maybe even Konerko. But not Beckham. Trading Gordon Beckham is the wrong move. Even for someone as good as Adrian Gonzalez.
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