Versatile Erik Gonzalez selects free agency after 3 seasons with Pirates

When Erik Gonzalez finished the 2020 season as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting shortstop, he predicted big numbers if given a chance to play on an everyday basis.

Gonzalez, however, lost the starting job to the hot-hitting Kevin Newman in spring training and didn’t deliver at the plate this past season before being designated for assignment in August.

After finishing the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, Gonzalez has elected free agency, per the MiLB transactions page.

Although the 30-year-old Gonzalez had value in his versatility — he has played every position but pitcher and catcher — his bat couldn’t keep him in the lineup when given a chance to play regularly.

Acquired from Cleveland in a trade that included minor-league pitchers Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza for outfielder Jordan Luplow and infielder Max Moroff in November 2018, Gonzalez was expected to provide stability at shortstop until Newman or Cole Tucker was ready.

But Gonzalez lost his starting job when he broke his collarbone in a collision with center fielder Starling Marte. Gonzalez slashed .236/.268/.324 with 24 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 47 RBIs in 174 games over three seasons with the Pirates.

Gonzalez got the starting job in the shortened 2020 season thanks to his glove and an eight-game stretch that August where he batted .452 with six doubles, a home run and nine RBIs, including a 443-foot blast against the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 7. But he followed that by hitting .184 in September.

Expressing his desire to be an everyday player, Gonzalez said he was “very confident” he could produce 80 RBIs and 15 home runs if given the opportunity to play on an everyday basis over a full season.

Instead, Gonzalez batted .232 with seven doubles, two home runs and 21 RBIs in 71 games this past season.

He started 31 games at third base when Ke’Bryan Hayes was on the 60-day injured list.

He also played 12 games at shortstop and and 10 at first base when Colin Moran and Phillip Evans were injured.

The Pirates designated Gonzalez for assignment Aug. 7 after he spent more than a month on the injured list with a left oblique strain. Gonzalez finished the season in Indianapolis, where he batted .140 in 14 games.