“E-GON” GOING TO PLAY FOR JAPAN’S YOMIURI GIANTS IN 2010

While San Diego fans and media have focused on whether Padres All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will be traded out of town in 2010, big brother Edgar beat Adrian to the punch by signing a one-year free agent contract with Tokyo’s Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Central League for the upcoming season. Edgar Gonzalez hit .216 in a part-time role for the Padres last year after batting .274 in 111 games as a 30-year-old rookie in 2008.

After playing no less than five defensive positions for San Diego in 2009, the elder Gonzalez will be a regular second baseman in Tokyo. “I had three offers from major league teams,” Edgar told Mazatlan newspaper Noroeste, “but in the end it was for the best to go to Japan where I can play every day.” Gonzalez becomes the fifth Mexican to play in Japan, following Jose Tolentino, Elmer Dessens, Narciso Elvira and Karim Garcia.

“The Giants will pay me more than the major leagues,” Gonzalez added, “and playing every day can create more opportunities to return to the majors.” The San Diego native hit .203 in 16 regular season games for Mazatlan this season.