Veteran utility player Marwin Gonzalez has reached a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Friday.
Gonzalez, who will turn 34 in March, slashed .185/.255/.321 over 86 games for the Yankees in 2022. He appeared at every defensive position except catcher and center field, while even making appearances as a pitcher, designated hitter, pinch-hitter and pinch-runner.
Gonzalez had a breakout season in 2017 for the World Series champion Astros, hitting .303 with career highs in home runs (23), RBIs (90) and OPS (.907) — but he’s struggled to replicate that production. He hit .232 with a .673 OPS from 2018-22, including posting a sub-.200 average and sub-.600 OPS in each of the past two seasons.
Gonzalez has posted a career .252 average and .709 OPS over 11 big league seasons between the Astros, Twins, Red Sox and Yankees. He’s made at least 175 appearances at each of the four infield positions, while also manning all three outfield spots throughout his career.
As for his new club, Orix has made back-to-back appearances in the Japan Series, including winning the NPB title in 2022.
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