I touched on this during yesterday's Mets-Marlins live blog but having just read Dan Le Batard's entire column about Luis Gonzalez, I thought it deserved a bit more attention. Gonzo was signed by the Marlins in the offseason to provide a veteran presence on an apple-cheeked squad and install a sense of professionalism to a clubhouse that lacked it. I won't argue that point, Scott Olsen gives more than enough reason to believe it, but I will argue about Gonzalez's ability to improve professionalism. Le Batard calls him a "professional's professional," but would such a man help lead a clubhouse insurrection in the middle of a pennant race? The Dodgers melted down last season even as young players ascended to the big leagues and played well. Why? They got verbally smacked down by veteran leaders like Jeff Kent and Gonzalez at every opportunity for one thing. Professional's professionals understand that there are times when the team benefits from someone else, a 684 second-half OPS perhaps, and doesn't complain about losing ABs.
The Marlins are a young team but, at Gonzo's positions, they have players who have proven they can handle the major leagues. Jeremy Heredia and Josh Willingham will both outhit Gonzalez and shouldn't lose at-bats to a player with one foot in the retirement home. Time will tell if Gonzalez understands his role and the Marlins should be more amenable to youngsters than the Ned Coletti/Grady Little Dodgers but I won't be shocked if June brings playing time complaints from South Florida.
