TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees added some infield insurance Sunday, agreeing to a Minor League deal with versatile veteran Marwin Gonzalez, according to a source.
The deal, which has not been confirmed by the club, will pay the 33-year-old $1.1 million if he reaches the Majors.
Gonzalez has played for the Astros, Twins and Red Sox during his 10-year career, slashing .256/.313/.404 with 101 home runs and 397 RBIs in 1,053 games. His best season came during the Astros’ 2017 championship campaign, when he set career highs with 23 home runs, 90 RBIs and a .907 OPS.
While Gonzalez has been a solid hitter throughout his career, his calling card has been his defensive versatility. Gonzalez has played every position except for catcher, seeing the most time at shortstop, where he has played 304 games (259 starts).
The Yankees’ infield currently has five players for four spots: Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson. LeMahieu figures to be the primary backup at first, second and third base, but Torres is the only other shortstop on the roster aside from Kiner-Falefa, giving Gonzalez a shot to make the team as a utility infielder — one who can also play all over the outfield.
Gonzalez signed a two-year, $21 million free agent deal with the Twins before the 2019 season, then inked a one-year, $3 million deal with the Red Sox prior to the 2021 campaign. Boston released him in mid-August, but he caught on with the Astros, finishing out the season in Houston.