303 batting average, 23 home runs, and 907 OPS in 2017… Apologizing for the sign-stealing incident
Orix announced on the 15th that it has acquired infielder Merwin Gonzalez, who played for the Yankees last season. He wears number 8. He’s a right-handed hitter and a utility player who can defend positions other than battery.
33-year-old Gonzalez has a solid record of 888 hits and 107 home runs in 11 years in the majors. He made his major league debut with the Astros in 2012, and is famous for stopping pitcher Yu Darvish (then Rangers) from a perfect game in the 9th inning with two outs in 2013.
303 batting average, 23 homers, 90 RBIs, and 907 OPS in 2017, contributing to the Astros becoming the best in the world. He also got votes in the MVP ballot, but was later forced to apologize following the sign-stealing incident came to light. After that, he moved to four teams, but his batting average remained at around 20%.