MarGo: Back in the fold
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Marwin Gonzalez, who plays all over the diamond but was pressed into service mostly at first base last year, came to terms with the Astros Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman, to avoid a Valentine's Day arbitration date. The two parties split their difference roughly down the middle then agreed on a club option for the 2018 season.
The switch-hitting utilityman batted .254 with a career-high 13 homers in 141 games last year. He'll be paid $3.725 million and, should the Astros agree, will make $5.125 million in his final year before free agency.
The versatile Venezuelan had been placed on his country's roster for the World Baseball Classic but now he says it is unlikely he will play. Infielder Alex Bregman will represent Houston for the U.S. squad.
The classic series leads to an early spring training liftoff. The Astros will begin this spring in their new home, a camp in West Palm Beach, FL they will share with the Washington Nationals.
The lone remaining arbitration case belongs to starting pitcher Collin McHugh who tailed off from 19 victories in 2015 to 13 wins last season. McHugh's place in the rotation is mostly assured so the issue boils down to one of compensation.
Meanwhile, Manager A.J. Hinch tells KHOU-TV he plans to put outfielder George Springer back in the lead-off spot in the batting order this year despite bashing 29 homers last season. Hinch believes his lineup is so potent that Springer will have many chances to drive in runs reaching base at the bottom of the lineup.
He also disclosed that he has no set closer coming into camp but that righthanders Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson and Will Harris will all have opportunities to stake their claim. Each posted between 12 and 15 saves last season and each seemed to hit slumps after seemingly winning the job. Most in the organization hope the hard-throwing Giles eventually wins the position but, as the team mantra for 2017 says, he'll have to earn it.
- Bob Hulsey
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