Marwin Gonzalez is headed to Japan for 2023, signing with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball for a one-year, $1.5 million deal, Japanese news media outlet Hochi Sports reported on December 30.
Gonzalez, who will turn 34 in March, filled a utility role with the New York Yankees in 2022. He batted .185, driving in eight runs and clubbing six homers last season.
Orix will have their work cut out for them as they will look to Gonzalez to replace Masataka Yoshida, the best hitter for their ball club for the last several seasons. Yoshida ended up signing for five seasons and $90 million with the Boston Red Sox through the Major League posting system, and Orix will receive a posting fee of $15.4 million.
Gonzalez’s lifetime average is .252 with 107 home runs and 415 RBI in his 10-year Major League career. His veteran presence and ability to play multiple positions will be an asset to Orix. The Buffaloes have made deep playoff runs, including back-to-back appearances in the Japan Series, each of the last two seasons.