2014 Dodgers review: Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez was a fixture in the middle of the Dodgers lineup in 2014, with 147 of his 155 starts batting either third or fourth.

What went right

Gonzalez had his best season since 2011 in 2014, thanks in large part to the return of his power. He put up an isolated power (slugging percentage minus batting average) of over .200 (.206 in 2014) for the first time in three years, something he did every season from 2007-2011 in his prime.

The first baseman hit 27 home runs, again his highest total in three years, and hit 41 doubles, the fourth time in his career he hit 40 doubles in a season.

He had a great start to his season, hitting .317/.377/.644 with eight home runs and nine doubles in 27 games in March and April.

Gonzalez had a great finishing kick too, with 20 doubles and 13 home runs in 65 games after the All-Star break, hitting .314/.368/.561 during that span.

Gonzalez led the major leagues with 116 RBI, becoming just the third Los Angeles Dodger in 57 years to do so, joining Matt Kemp (126 RBI in 2011) and Tommy Davis (153 RBI in 1962).

At first base Gonzalez led the National League with 12 runs above average in defensive runs saved, and tied for the lead with 10 runs above average in total zone rating. Gonzalez was rewarded with his fourth Gold Glove Award and second Silver Slugger, just the fourth Dodgers player to capture both in the same season, joining Dusty Baker (1981), Russell Martin (2007) and Kemp (2009, 2011).

Gonzalez was also durable, playing in 159 games, including 152 starts in the field. It was the ninth straight season of at least 156 games for Gonzalez, who has played in more games (1,433) than anyone in baseball during that span, averaging 159 games and 155 starts in the field for the last nine seasons.

For his 2014 season, Gonzalez was honored with the Premio Nacional de Deportes award, given annually to the top professional Mexican athlete. Gonzalez, who also won the award in 2011, is with his family in Mexico City on Thursday to accept the award.

What went wrong

June was rough for Gonzalez, who hit just .222/.262/.313 with one home run, part of a midseason malaise that saw Gonzalez hit just two home runs in a 48-game stretch heading into the All-Star break.

Gonzalez also had his worst season even against left-handed pitching. A career .272/.337/.434 hitter against southpaws, Gonzalez has held his own against same-handed pitchers in his career. But in 2014, Gonzalez hit just .201/.261/.327 against lefties.

2014 particulars

Age: 32

Salary: $21.1 million, which includes a $100,000 bonus for winning the Gold Glove Award.

Game of the year

On Sept. 7 against the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers were getting no-hit through five innings by Trevor Cahill, but Gonzalez turned the game around with a pair of three-run home runs, one in the sixth and another in the seventh inning. Gonzalez matched a career high with six RBI in the 7-2 victory.

The six RBI gave Gonzalez 100 for a fifth straight season, and for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. In the one season during that span Gonzalez fell short (2009), he drove in 99 runs.

The game was also emblematic of Gonzalez against Arizona all season. In 19 games against the Diamondbacks in 2014, Gonzalez hit .413/.500/.794 with seven home runs, 25 RBI and 21 runs scored.

Roster status

Gonzalez has four years and $85 million remaining on his contract, including a $21 million salary for 2015.