Rockies, Carlos Gonzalez interested in contract extension

The Colorado Rockies and Carlos Gonzalez have reportedly discussed the possibility of a contract extension that would keep the star outfielder in Denver beyond next offseason, when he’s currently set to become a free agent.

There is interest in both sides, CarGo told Venezuelan reporter Wilmer Reina, but the negotiations are still a ways off from gaining any real ground. Gonzalez’s seven-year, $80 million deal that he signed following his breakout 2010 campaign expires at the end of the upcoming season.

Gonzalez, after dealing with various nagging injuries for several years, has put together two consecutive healthy seasons. The 31-year-old, three-time All-Star followed a 40-homer 2015 by hitting .298/.350/.505 with 25 homers and a Gold Glove nomination in 2016.

In addition to apparently trying to work out a long-term deal with the Rockies this offseason, Gonzalez plans to play in the Venezuelan Winter League if he receives clearance from the club, according to Reina. CarGo last appeared in that circuit in 2009, hitting .272/.306/.488 with seven homers for Aguilas del Zulia, the team he would play with again this year.

This, of course, isn’t the first time this year that the subject of a CarGo extension has come up. Les Shapiro reported the two sides were in the midst of discussions back in August, and Gonzalez in October told The Denver Post that he’s open to the idea of an extension as a result of the Rockies’ recent improvements on the field.