Alex Gonzalez is set free

The Red Sox chose to decline Alex Gonzalez’s $6 million option for 2010 today, putting the shortstop on the free agent market.

Quick recap: Gonzalez came to Boston post-Edgar Renteria and served ably, with sensational defense and a penchant for launching the occasional bomb but not much else. He left for a big-money contract in Cincinnati following the season, Julio Lugo taking his place.

That contract was marred by injuries, and he was shipped back to Boston in August at which time he exploded, again providing great defense while being above-average on offense. Part of me wonders if the team even would have made the playoffs without him.

Just because he’s set free now doesn’t mean he can’t return to Boston. However, Gonzo is not a $6 million player, so the decision was easy. Especially with the news that John Henry’s hedge fund business is suffering — no matter what the front office may say, it will absolutely impact the finances Boston has to work with.

If Gonzalez is willing to sign a two-year deal for $6 million, he’ll be back in Boston. The risk here is obviously opening the bidding up to 29 other teams, but at this point, I think Boston is willing to pay a shade above market value for him — just not way above.

Delaying a decision on Gonzalez also impacts Boston’s ability to continue shopping for a better or more long-term shortstop. The team was in the hunt for J.J. Hardy but lost out to the Twins earlier this week.

Guest Harry Pavlidis examines Bard’s breaking ball

Harry Pavlidis passes his time as a pitch F/X specialist at The Hardball Times, Beyond the Boxscore and Cubs F/X. He brings today a look at Daniel Bard and his developing slider. Due to his fantastic work, we can now see the two subtle differences between Bard’s evolving slider.

Much ado has been made about Daniel Bard’s fastball and his future as closer for the Red Sox. Management doesn’t think he’s ready – or at least his breaking ball isn’t.

The concern expressed by the Red Sox is, or was, getting Bard’s slider to be less slurvey. Throwing the ball like a cutter is one thing, but the slider action the hitters experience is really all that matters. Still, based on the technique we’ll say the goal for Bard is to throw something more like a slutter.