Philadelphia Phillies have not signed Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez because of injury concerns?

In late July, it was reported that the Philadelphia Phillies had signed Cuban right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez to a six year, $48 million dollar deal. However, that deal has not been signed and Gonzalez is not a member of the Phillies – at least not yet.

So what’s the hold up in the deal? According to Todd Zolecki, scouts may have concerns over his elbow:

"A source indicated to MLB.com on Tuesday that the two parties had hit a snag since word quickly spread July 26 the parties had agreed to a six-year, $48 million contract that included an $11 million option for 2019.The Phillies have said nothing about Gonzalez since the story broke, not even as much as acknowledging anything might be cooking with the Cuban. Asked just before Tuesday night’s game against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park if a deal with Gonzalez might no longer happen, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. repeatedly declined comment.Since the agreement late last month, numerous reports have mentioned scouts with questions about Gonzalez’s elbow. He had bone spurs removed from his elbow sometime within the past two years, although it has been written he had made a full recovery."

Gonzalez was a target of the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this year, though, they seemingly moved on which gave the Phillies the lead in signing the talented pitcher. It’s likely a deal still gets done, though the Phillies may want to add some contractual stipulations regarding the status of Gonzalez’s elbow.