Pittsburgh Pirates News: Erik González Elects Free Agency

After spending the past three season with the Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Erik González has elected free agent ending his tenure in Pittsburgh

In November of 2018 the Pittsburgh Pirates and then general manager Neal Huntington swung a five-player trade with the Cleveland Indians. While the Pirates gave up infielder Max Moroff and outfielder Jordan Luplow, in return they received a pair of pitching prospects, one of which is the now highly touted Tahnaj Thomas.

While Thomas has become the big piece in this trade, at the time the trade was made the main piece coming to the Pittsburgh Pirates was shortstop Erik González. González was acquired from Cleveland to be the starting shortstop for Pittsburgh.

It did not take long for González’s tenure in Pittsburgh to start to go south. In April of 2019 he collided in shallow center field with Starling Marte. This collision, a play on which González should have let Marte catch the ball, landed both on the injured list.

González also struggled offensively throughout his tenure with the Pirates. In 569 plate appearances during his three seasons in Pittsburgh the 30-year-old González hit for a poor .237/.269/.327 slash line to go wit ha wRC+ of 57. He walked at just a 4.2% clip while striking out 22.3% of the time.

After starting the 2021 season as a utility player with the Pirates, González was designated for assignment by the Pirates on August 7th. When he went unclaimed, he joined the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Now, González has elected to become a free agent ending his tenure in Pittsburgh.

Even though he struggled during his tenure with the Pirates we still wish González all the best in wherever his career takes him next.

Unfortunately, González’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates will not be remembered fondly. González struggled at the plate, played on three teams that record wise finished among the worst teams in baseball and his collision with Marte may be what he is remembered for most.