The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded infielder Benji Gonzalez to the San Diego Padres organization. Gonzalez had been in the Pirates organization since being taken in the 7th round of the 2008 amateur draft. He had not played this season after spending the last three years at Bradenton. He was in Extended Spring Training at the time of the deal.
Gonzalez played Winter Ball in Puerto Rico this off-season, hitting .317 over 20 games. The 24-year-old is a switch-hitter with an excellent glove, can play multiple positions including shortstop and he has good speed. He never hit enough to move past High-A ball though.
The deal is for cash or a player to be named later. Chances are, with Gonzalez not being used by the Pirates and the fact he’s a minor league free agent at the end of the year, we won’t hear about the return.
