Phillies Sign Cuban Defector Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez
Free agent right-handed pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez has signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Phillies, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today. The contract includes a vesting/club option for 2017, a signing bonus and performance bonuses.
Gonzalez, 26, is a native of Cuba and pitched in the 2009 and 2011 World Cup for the Cuban National Team. Between the two tournaments, Gonzalez went a combined 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA in seven games (six starts) and had 36 strikeouts in 34.0 innings pitched, an average of 9.5 SO/9.0 IP. In those 34.0 innings, he allowed 31 baserunners (23 H, 7 BB, HBP).
“We are very pleased to have come to an agreement with Miguel,” said Amaro. “He is someone our scouts have followed for several years and in our most recent observations of him he showed tremendous stuff. We are hopeful he will pitch out of our starting rotation for 2014 and beyond.”
Gonzalez will report to the Phillies spring training complex in Clearwater, Fla. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, left-hander John Lannan has been moved to the 60-day disabled list.