Yahoo’s Jeff Passan is reporting that the Phillies have signed Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez to a six year, $50 million pact that can be worth more than $60 million. Passan reports that the Phillies beat out the Red Sox to land Gonzalez. Gonzalez, 26, is a righty that reaches the mid-90s with a fastball and also has a “change-up, fork, and curveball,” according to DJ Short. Short notes that Gonzalez made a name for himself in the 2010 University Baseball Championships but has pitched sparingly since after being suspended for trying to flee Cuba.
The news comes as somewhat as a surprise and a bit oddly-timed as it was learned today from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick that the Phillies were being peppered with offers for Cliff Lee. Lee is the best pitcher on the market – could Gonzalez’s signing be a sign that the Phillies are willing to trade him?
