Reds deal Gonzalez to Red Sox
Injury-plagued shortstop dealt back to Boston
Reds deal Gonzalez to Red Sox | MLB.com: News
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- Gonzo is the latest Reds veteran to be gone.
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez cleared waivers and was traded by the Reds to the Red Sox on Friday for Minor League shortstop Kris Negron.
"The Red Sox had interest in Gonzo and have had problems at shortstop," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We viewed this as an opportunity for him to play for a contender in a possible playoff situation."
To take Gonzalez's place on the 25-man roster, the Reds called up first baseman Kevin Barker from Triple-A Louisville. The plan is to have young players Paul Janish and Adam Rosales take up most of the playing time at shortstop.
Jocketty said there were no immediate plans to call up either top shortstop prospects -- Chris Valaika at Louisville or Todd Frazier at Double-A Carolina.
"Not right now," Jocketty said. "We think they should stay down and keep developing."
Gonzalez signed a three-year, $14 million contract with the Reds as a free agent before the 2007 season. He missed a significant portion of his tenure in Cincinnati with injuries, including the entire 2008 with a compression fracture in his left knee that required surgery.
In 68 games this season, Gonzalez is batting .210 with three home runs and 26 RBIs. From June 20-July 23, Gonzalez was on the disabled list because he needed right elbow surgery to remove some bone chips.
Gonzalez, who has a $6 million club option for the 2010 season that carries a $500,000 buyout, played for the Red Sox in 2006 and was with the Marlins from 1998-2005.
Since July 31, the Reds have dealt Jerry Hairston Jr., Edwin Encarnacion, David Weathers and Gonzalez.
In 111 games for Class A Salem, Negron batted .264 with three home runs and 34 RBIs. The Reds will assign him to Class A Sarasota.
"We got a young player back that we like," Jocketty said. "He has average-to-better tools in every category. We'll see what happens."
In 100 games for Louisville, Barker batted .284 with 22 homers and 68 RBIs.
"He's done a great job at Triple-A the past couple of years," Jocketty said. "This will give Dusty a hot left-handed bat off the bench."