Sportsbook betting tells us that the Boston Red Sox picked up shortstop Alex Gonzalez from the Cincinnati Reds. The Red Sox have had all kinds of trouble at shortstop in recent years and they are hoping that Gonzalez can solve their problems. Sportsbooks have the Red Sox as the second choice in sportsbook betting to win the World Series behind the New York Yankees.
Sportsbook betting stats tell us that Gonzalez was acquired by the Red Sox for 23-year-old old Single A shortstop Kris Negron. The Reds also sent about $1 million to the Red Sox in the deal as online sports betting facts tell us. Gonzalez could be in the lineup on Saturday as the team plays Texas as sportsbooks odds show. The Red Sox would have a $6 million option to keep Gonzalez next year and that would seem a likely choice for Boston.
Gonzalez is a very good defensive player but has not hit much recently as sports betting statistics indicate. He is batting .210 with three home runs this season as sportsbook betting numbers tell us. He has just six errors this season as sportsbook betting stats indicate with a .977 fielding percentage. The Red Sox are really hoping that Gonzalez can solve their issues at short. He was with the team in 2006 and played great on defense although he hit just .255. Gonzalez had a very good 2007 season with the Reds as sportsbook betting indicates as he hit .272 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs. He missed last season due to a knee injury. The Red Sox really can’t afford to be making errors and Gonzalez should help them in that regard. Boston is no longer a lock to make the playoffs and anyone they can add should help their odds at sportsbooks.
Gonzalez started his career in 1998 with the Florida Marlins. He signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Red Sox before the 2006 season. His best year as sportsbook betting statistics show was in 2004 in Florida when he hit 23 home runs and drove in 79 runs.
Sportsbook betting has the Red Sox competing with the Texas Rangers for the Wild Card spot in the American League. Most experts who are wagering at sportsbooks believe that the Red Sox are not going to catch the Yankees in the American League East.