2043.03 - The Long Beach Independent - The End of the Road?

[Lane]

GONZALES, GILLSTROM STRUGGLE

September 27, 2043
Long Beach, CA

When the Surfers sent a prospect to Charlotte this past February in exchange for Long Beach legend Carlos Gonzales, no one expected to see prime CarGo, or really even good CarGo, who was nearly a lock for 30 HR every season. At age 38 entering this season, he was coming off of a -0.5 WAR, 93 OPS+ season with the Cougars, and was acquired as a way to bring back a fan favorite for the end of his career.

The return has been more difficult than anyone could have anticipated. He followed up a .352 OPS in April with an abysmal .310 OPS in June. He didn't hit his first HR until June, his only good month, where he slashed .295/.407/.545. The midsummer surge proved to be a mirage, and the rest of the season has been a disappointment.

He's currently sitting at -2.7 WAR, dropping his career mark under 50 WAR. His contract will be up at the end of the season, after failing to meet the vesting criteria. Gonzales' agent did not provide a comment for this article. The Long Beach front office also declined to comment, but sources within the organization indicate that the team hopes that a retirement announcement will happen soon, and that they have a coaching position ready for him whenever he is ready.

In the infield, All-Time BBA Great Jared Gillstrom has had a much better season than Gonzales, but it is unfortunately the worst of his career. It is no surprise that Gillstrom is on the decline in his age-38 season, but the dropoff has been significant. He was worth 3.8 WAR with a 123 OPS+ last season with New Orleans, and showed no sign of slowing down. This year, he's at an even 0.0 WAR and, for the first time since Class-A ball in 2023, his OPS+ is below league average.

He was signed in the offseason to a one year deal with a team option in year two, which we imagine will be declined. The $4MM buyout of the option, in combination with his $13MM salary this year nets the vet a cool $17MM for the season, which the Surfers are likely glad to pay. On the season, despite similar win-loss performance, the Surfers increased attendance by 15%, and per game revenue by 58%. The ever-popular Gillstrom was likely a significant contributor to these numbers.

At time of publication, The Independent has been unable to verify rumors that Gillstrom is thrilled to have played for the Surfers "because their cap is amazing, and I'm happy I get to put it on my HOF plaque."

[RonCo]

When the end comes like a ton of bricks.