Royals 2004 Stars Series: Juan Gonzalez


In 2004, Kansas City had plenty of stars on the same roster, but the team couldn't put a winning season together. The Royals had many stars on the same roster from Carlos Beltran to Johnny Damon, but the team also had a few players that saw their careers take a turn for the worse. On January 6, 2004 the team signed the three time all-star Juan Gonzalez to a one year deal worth $4 million guaranteed with $2 million in performance bonuses. Following the signing of the outfielder, former Royals general manager Allard Baird told reporters: "He's been my No. 1 guy for a long time," Royals GM Allard Baird went on to say. "He is a legitimate run-producer - a healthy Juan Gonzalez improves your lineup significantly, no doubt about that." According to CBC Sports: "Gonzalez ranks 31st in major league history in home runs and 61st in RBIs . The 15-year pro has registered five seasons with at least 40 home runs and clubbed a career-best 47 in 1996. Gonzalez also knocked in a career- high 157 runs in 1998." The way Gonzalez landed in the Royals lap, in some way is surprising and something he probably regretted for the rest of his career. Detroit offered the outfielder an 8-year deal worth $140 million in 2000. The contract rejection wasn’t too surprising, with the bad conditions of Comerica Park at the time. Turning down the Tigers offer wasn't the worst decision he made in his career, the slugger turned down the opportunity to be a member of the Texas Rangers hall of fame. According to an article from ESPN: "Gonzalez was hurt greatly when the Rangers traded him to Detroit after the 1999 season. And even though he returned to the Rangers in 2002 and '03, it wasn't the same and he wasn't close to the same player." Gonzalez's time with Kansas City unfortunately wasn't one he nor the team expected. At age 34, Gonzalez struggled to stay on the field for the Royals. The slugger posted a .276 with the boys in blue in 33 games. Although Gonzalez's time in a Royals uniform didn't work out the way he or the team wanted, I don't say I blame them for signing a former all-star and could have been Texas Ranger hall of famer.
















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