On Thursday, Jon Heyman reported Carlos Gonzalez met with the Colorado Rockies’ front office and expressed interest in a trade.
CarGo to go? rox r improving a bit, but frustrated cargo would welcome trade. recently met w/brass. https://t.co/k09TsWuFdA
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 7, 2016
Less than 24 hours later later, those reports are now being denied by Gonzalez.
“I got a call this morning from Scott Boras, my agent, asking me what happened,” Gonzalez told reporters. “I was surprised because I didn’t know what was up. I guess there was a story in a newspaper saying that I’d ask the front office, saying I want out… I don’t know when that happened. Maybe I was asleep. Obviously, it didn’t happen.”
Gonzalez, who was named an National League All-Star this week, is slashing .318/.367/.552 with 18 homers and 51 RBI over 82 games this season.
Heyman’s original story on the trade request stated Cargo would be okay with a trade, even though he is only signed through 2017. His contract for 2017 will pay him $20 million.
“Gonzalez, it’s said, badly wants to win, and has become frustrated by the difficulties of doing that in Colorado. It won’t necessarily be easy for the Rockies to deal him, however, as they consider him a plus in the clubhouse as well as the field. Plus, they are showing signs of real improvement (the last week or so notwithstanding),” Heyman wrote.
Once again, Gonzalez has since denied the reports and is frustrated.
“Nothing is true because, obviously, I haven’t talked to anybody and haven’t said that to anybody. Not my wife or my kids or my mom,” Gonzalez told reporters.
While Gonzalez apparently would like to stay with Colorado, it’ll be tough for them to be competitive in a tough National League, not to mention an NL West division with the Giants and Dodgers on top. The Rockies enter Friday’s game at 39-46, third in the division, 14 games back of the Giants, and having lost seven of nine.
While this year may not be realistic, Gonzalez acknowledges Colorado has a great young core.
“Who says it’s not possible to win?” Gonzalez said. “We have some great players around me. We have all-stars, we have Gold Glovers. Guys that are young and will continue to make strides. Guys like (rookie shortstop) Trevor Story, (right-handed rookie starter) Jon Gray. Young guys, who will hopefully can take that next step.
“So hopefully we turn it around. I have been here for a lot of bad moments and tough situations, so I want to see the bright (side). I want to be here when that happens.”